Scottish Enterprise Agritourism Monitor Farm

Laggan Farm – Meeting 1 –3rd June 2014

Ownership –

The business is owned by the McConchie Family. There are five partners in the farming business – John (39) and Murray (37 ) Duncan (35 ) along with father Kerr (68 ) and mum Caroline (63). The farming business is a partnership which includes the Caravan and Lodge part of the business, although this part of the business has a separate profit and loss account. Laggan Outdoor Ltd is a separate company and the directors are John, Murray and Duncan. John’s wife Jo works for the holiday side of the business.

Business Structure –

The business consists of the farming enterprise at two farming units, one is located at Mossyard and the other at neighbouring Laggan.

The farm is 1300 acres with output focusing on lamb and beef. There are 600 ewes producing prime lamb and 110 suckler cows with 40 calving in Spring and the balance calving in the Autumn with store cattle sold at Castle Douglas and Carlisle.

Farm and Agritourism Development –

1935 – The caravan site was opened next to the beach at Mossyard by Kerr’s dad.

2000 – John and wife Jo came home to the family business and started running Mossyard.

2001 - An investment was made in 9 chalets.

2004 - Murray came home to the family business and focused on the farming side of the business.

2007 - Duncan came home to the family business. The idea for Laggan Outdoor was born. The Dutch barn on the farm was converted to be used to provide archery with John, Duncan and Murray training as instructors. Duncan and Murray also trained as shooting instructors and started providing clay pigeon shooting.

2008 – Laggan Outdoor developed mountain boarding and mountain ball (zorbing) as activities.

2009 – Reverse jeep driving and grass sledging were added to the offering at Laggan Outdoor.

2011 - 5 Segways were bought at £5.5k per Segway.

2012 - The zip wire was developed and opened. It is one of the longest Zip Wires in Europe.

2013 - The café and reception was developed.

2014 - A new reception area was opened, separate to the café. At Mossyard, an investment has been made in 12 lodges, with a view to sell 10 to people as permanent holiday homes and to rent out two.

In 2012 the farm invested £80k in cattle handling system and shed receiving a 60% SRDP Grant.

Turnover –

Farm £243k

Caravan Park & Lodges £200k

Laggan Outdoor including Coffee Shop £213k

The Farming Partnership does not receive any rental from Laggan Outdoor or caravan and lodge business for use of the land and buildings.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1557 840217

M: +44 (0) 7966 506873

W: www.lagganoutdoor.co.uk www.mossyard.co.uk

Laggan Farm Gatehouse of Fleet Castle Douglas Dumfries & Galloway Scotland DG7 2ES