Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse

Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse stands on a rocky headland north of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, beside the Sound of Mull. Built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson, it was designed to warn ships away from the dangerous coast. The lighthouse was automated in 1960, ending the need for resident keepers. Nearby, two former keepers’ cottages were once part of the station. Today, one cottage serves as a private home and the other as a holiday rental. The journey to the site is part of the experience, with access by sea or a 2.1-kilometre footpath along steep, wooded cliffs. The path follows the coastline, offering views of the Sound of Mull and the surrounding islands. The cottages have no mains services; water comes from a private spring and electricity from a solar system. Their remote setting adds to the sense of isolation and history. Visitors walking the path find rugged coastal scenery and the lighthouse standing tall on the headland. The Sound of Mull stretches out to the west, with Tobermory’s coloured houses visible in the distance. The lighthouse itself remains an active navigation aid, its beam still guiding vessels at night. The cottages blend quietly into the landscape, their white walls weathered by the sea wind.