Corsewall Lighthouse

Corsewall Lighthouse stands at Corsewall Point near Kirkcolm in Dumfries and Galloway. It overlooks the North Channel of the Irish Sea and was first lit in 1817. The name Corsewall comes from the place or well of the Cross. In 1814, Mr Kirkman Finley applied to build a lighthouse here. The Northern Lighthouse Board approved the site in 1815 after an inspection by Robert Stevenson. The lighthouse is worth visiting for its history and connections to notable events. In 1817, the Principal Keeper was suspended for falling asleep while on duty. Concorde reportedly flew over the lighthouse in 1970, shattering its windows. The light was automated in 1994 and is now monitored from Edinburgh. Engineers hid a message in a bottle here in 1892, which was found in 2024 during refurbishment. Visitors find the lighthouse tower and keeper’s house converted into a hotel. The hotel offers accommodation with views of the Irish Sea. The surrounding area includes coastal paths and dramatic cliffs. The North Channel provides a scenic backdrop for walks. The lighthouse remains an active navigation aid. Its history and modern use make it a distinctive landmark.