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Ardnamurchan Lighthouse on its dark rocks above a grey sea.
Ardnamurchan

Ardnamurchan Point

The lighthouse at the westernmost end of the Ardnamurchan road, built in 1849, with a visitor centre, a cafe and a climb to the top.

Welcome

At the very end of the long road west across Ardnamurchan, past a gateway with its own traffic lights, a grey granite lighthouse stands on a rocky point above the Atlantic.

It was built in 1849 by Alan Stevenson and rises 36 metres, its lantern 55 metres above the sea.

The old stable block is now the visitor centre, with a cafe, a shop and exhibitions on lighthouses, the rocks of the peninsula and its wildlife, and the old engine room can be seen too. The real reward is the climb: 152 steps and two ladders to the balcony, where Rum and Skye rise to the north and on a clear day Barra shows fifty miles away.

The centre opens from Tuesday to Sunday. The true westernmost point of mainland Britain is a rocky outcrop a short way to the south.

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Before you go

Visitor centre Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm; closed Monday.

Where
Ardnamurchan Point, Kilchoan, PH36 4LN.
Built
1849, by Alan Stevenson.
Climb
152 steps and two ladders.

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Did you know

Ardnamurchan Lighthouse rising above black rocks.
Did you know

Alan Stevenson built it in 1849.

The granite tower is 36 metres high, and its top stands 55 metres above the sea.

The granite tower of Ardnamurchan Lighthouse against a pale sky.
Did you know

152 steps and two ladders.

That is the climb to the light room. From the balcony Rum lies to the north with Skye beyond, and on a clear day Barra shows 50 miles away to the north-west.

The stone visitor centre below Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, with a rocky bay behind.
Did you know

This is not quite the furthest west.

The true westernmost point of mainland Britain is Corrachadh Mor, about three quarters of a mile to the south.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lochaber

At the end of the long single-track road west across Ardnamurchan, a grey granite lighthouse stands on a rocky point above the Atlantic. Alan Stevenson built it in 1849, and it rises 36 metres. The old stables now hold a visitor centre and café, with exhibitions on lighthouses, rocks and wildlife. The real reward is the climb to the balcony, where Rum and Skye rise to the north and, on a clear day, Barra shows on the horizon. The true westernmost point of mainland Britain is a rocky outcrop a short way south.

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Where it is

At the end of the road west from Kilchoan, past a gateway with traffic lights, PH36 4LN.

Close byArdnamurchan.
  1. Ardnamurchan Lighthouse tower with black lantern rising above whitewashed keeper's cottagesThe Stables Cafe, ArdnamurchanThe cafe in the old stable block at Ardnamurchan lighthouse, with coffee, cakes and a view at the end of the road.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. West Ardnamurchan Garden Community ShopWest Ardnamurchan Garden Community ShopA community garden's self-service shop on the lighthouse road out of Kilchoan, selling its own vegetables by honesty box.3 miles 11 min by road
  3. Passengers seated by ferry windows overlooking calm water and distant hillsKilchoan to Tobermory FerryThe short CalMac crossing from Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan to Tobermory on Mull, a turn-up-and-go ferry with fine views across the Sound.6 miles 16 min by road
  4. Sanna BaySanna BayWhite sand bays to the north.9 miles 25 min by road
  5. A main course at An Cala Ciùin in Tobermory, with asparagus, a potato, a small tart topped with wild garlic flowers and a dark sauce on a grey stone plate.An Cala CiùinA fine dining restaurant on the first floor of the Mishnish Hotel in Tobermory, with tasting menus built on Mull's own produce.9 miles as the crow flies
  6. Resipole Studios, LochaberResipole StudiosA gallery on Loch Sunart.28 miles 52 min by road
Directions
A dry-stone wall and gate lead down a coastal path on Muck toward Rum's mountains across the water.AttractionsIsle of Muck9.7 miles
The dining room at Ar Bòrd in Dervaig, a table laid for dinner on a herringbone rug, with a pine dresser, a bookcase and windows looking out on green fields.RestaurantsAr Bòrd9.7 miles
Camas nan Geall seen from above, a curving bay of calm water and a shingle spit below green slopes, Ben Hiant rising beyond.AttractionsCamas nan Geall14 miles
AttractionsLoch Torr Wildlife Hide17 miles
The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.GlenborrodaleBorradill HouseSleeps 6 · 19 miles
Borradill Cottage, ArdnamurchanGlenborrodaleBorradill CottageSleeps 4 · 19 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the lighthouse, and when each is next free.

The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.Borradill House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 13 miles from Ardnamurchan Point
Free 15–18 NovBorradill Cottage, ArdnamurchanBorradill Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 13 miles from Ardnamurchan Point
Free 29 Nov – 2 DecPlaces to stayEvery stay in ArdnamurchanAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Ardnamurchan.

CollectionLighthouses in Scotland You Can Actually Reach
More in Ardnamurchan
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