East Tarbet Quay, Mull Of Galloway

East Tarbet Quay is a simple quay built around 1828, likely associated with the nearby Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. It comprises a single-storey, three-bay cottage set within an enclosing wall. The quay runs on a southwest to northeast axis, angled to the east towards the end of the structure. It is built of rubble stone on natural rock to the west, transitioning to roughly coursed rubble masonry to the east. The quay is paved with coursed rubble.

The cottage, also built of rubble, features granite lintels, roughly dressed jambs and quoins. The north elevation has a two-leaf boarded door at its centre, with boarded windows in the outer bays. The east, west, and south elevations are blank. The roof is covered with small grey slates and features red sandstone ashlar coped skews with granite skewends, along with granite gablehead stacks topped with red sandstone ashlar coping.

An enclosure wall, constructed of rubble with angled rubble coping, forms a square plan enclosing the cottage. The wallhead angles upwards towards a gateway at the centre of the north side.

The quay was likely used for landing supplies for the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, and it is probable that the quay and cottage were constructed around the same time as the lighthouse. An 1827 plan from the Northern Lighthouse Board (drawing DC8872) depicts a “storehouse” at East Tarbet, possibly referring to the current building. The quay and cottage are shown on an Ordnance Survey map from 1848. A new boathouse and store now affect the immediate setting.