Corsewall Lighthouse

Corsewall Lighthouse sits on Corsewall Point, about 6 km north-west of the village of Kirkcolm in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. Designed by Robert Stevenson, it ranks among the early Stevenson lights, and the old keepers' complex now operates as a hotel with a restaurant, facing the Irish Sea.

Who built it, and when?

Construction ran from about 1815 to 1817 for the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body that marks Scotland's coast. The engineer was Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the author Robert Louis Stevenson. Sources disagree on the exact first-lighting year: 1817 is the usual answer, though some records say 1816. The tower stands roughly 28 metres (92 ft) tall, with the keepers' houses grouped beside it inside an enclosure wall.

The tower, the keepers' houses and the boundary walls are together protected as a Category A listed building, the highest tier in Scotland (reference LB9923, listed 1972). The site also has a Canmore record.

What is its history?

People tended the light for more than 170 years. Local accounts say the first keeper lost his job after the lamp's turning mechanism stopped while he slept on duty. The light was automated in 1994 and is now monitored remotely from the Board's Edinburgh headquarters. The accommodation was sold into private hands in 1995 and later became a hotel.

What will you see?

• The tower and the keepers' buildings - a white lighthouse with its original cottages, forming a compact and well-preserved group.
• Sea views - the Rhins of Galloway peninsula points towards Northern Ireland. In clear weather you can make out the far coast, and ferries pass on the Stranraer-Belfast route.
• The headland - open, windswept ground that suits a short walk and seabird watching.

How do you get there?

Corsewall Point lies at the northern tip of the Rhins peninsula, about 18 km from Stranraer. Driving is the practical option, along the coast road through Kirkcolm; public transport in this corner of Scotland is sparse. Stranraer has a bus station and is the hub for travellers arriving on ferries from Northern Ireland.

When should you visit?

Late spring to early autumn gives longer days and better visibility, and sunsets over the Irish Sea can be striking. Winter brings strong wind and changeable weather, so dress in layers.

Frequently asked questions

Can you climb the lighthouse? The tower is working navigation infrastructure rather than a standard climb-to-the-top attraction. You can view it from the grounds by the hotel; check with the hotel about access.

Can you stay overnight? Yes. The former keepers' houses are now the Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel, offering rooms and meals.

Is the light still in use? Yes. It has shone since 1817 (or slightly earlier by some accounts) and has been automated and remotely monitored since 1994.

Can you see Northern Ireland from here? On a clear day, yes. It is one of the places in Scotland where the opposite shore is visible across the sea.