On Sunday 1st November, Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre, near Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway will close its doors permanently after 13 years. The Activity Centre has played a pivotal role for tourism and employment within the area and notably, in South West Scotland.
Since its conception in 2007, Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre has battled with a strict rules on vehicle numbers using the road which accesses the centre, which was a planning condition imposed by Transport Scotland. Although the limit has been revisited several times and amended in conjunction with Transport Scotland, the final limit was getting ever closer as a result of the popularity of the business. With the development of GG’s Yard, Sea View Snugs and Gather, this limit would be impossible to keep and combined with the challenges of seasonality meant the Activity Centre was unable to cover the costs of road upgrades for the A75 – £400,000, resulting in the decision to close.
Laggan Outdoor has welcomed over 150,000 visitors since its launch in 2007. The Centre launched Europe’s longest zip wire in 2012, the world’s largest human slingshot in 2015 and was crowned Scotland’s Best Outdoor Adventure Experience in the 2017 Scottish Thistle Awards.
Owner Duncan McConchie said: “It’s with great sadness and disappointment that the time has come to close our doors at Laggan Outdoor. We have had adventure seekers from across the globe visit us and it has been an honour to provide them with a reason to visit this beautiful part of Scotland. We had hoped we would have been supported further to keep the Centre open and encourage economic growth in the area through tourism. This support is required now more than ever due to how detrimental Coronavirus has been to many businesses within the tourism sector. Rural businesses cannot be treated with the same policies that major corporations are. Businesses should be encouraged to grow and prosper which in turn will deliver massive community benefits.
We’re excited to focus our attention on our new business venture, Gather, as well as our Sea View Snugs and wedding and events venue GG’s Yard. Laggan Outdoor enabled the growth of these businesses and we have been able to transfer our staff across the business securing employment. We’d like to say a special thank you to all of our customers who have visited over the past 13 years.”
From the 1st November, the site will become known as ‘Laggan’ as the business forms one identity to encompass the remaining three businesses. Laggan will offer visitors a place to stay, eat and celebrate in Dumfries and Galloway.
