Laggan Cottage is a stone built farm cottage situated at the far end of the Big Strand.  It is approx. 200 meters to the beach.  It has a fenced in natural garden, electric heating and an open fire in the living room and is double glazed throughout.  The living room and main bedroom have sea facing views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Laggan Cottage provides accommodation for six people and comprises Living Room, Kitchen, three bedrooms, on with bunks and Bathroom. The cottage is well equipped with electric cooker, microwave, television etc. Access is by unsurfaced farm road and these is a natural fenced garden and plenty of space for parking.

About the Laggan Estate

The Laggan Estate is privately owned and over the past three years has been considerably improved and enhanced, thus the Estate is now able to offer excellent sporting facilities.

The Laggan Estate is situated on the west coast of the Isle of Islay 30 minutes by plane from Glasgow airport or a two hour ferry crossing from Kennacraig. The Estate is located  2 miles south of the attractive small town of Bowmore, famous for its whisky distillery and with all essential services.
 
The holidaymaker who wants a complete change from the crowds, bustle and anonymity of busy cities can discover no better place than the Isle of Islay. The island provides a diverse range of interests which can be experienced by all. Islay is an endless joy for bird watchers, natural enthusiasts, artists and photographers. The historical record of Islay goes back to Neolithic times. Archaeological and historical sites such as Kildalton Cross and Finlaggan provide much interest to name but two.

We have much to offer, whatever kind of holiday you are seeking. As well as having wonderful scenery and golden beaches, visitors also have access to walking, cycling, diving, pony trekking, fishing (sea, loch and river) and shooting. There is an excellent golf course in the area which is available to visitors and a leisure centre with a swimming pool in Bowmore

Fishing

Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing on Laggan Estate

The Estate's water extends to approximately 5.5 miles of double bank fishing from the sea to Laggan Bridge which is the largest and most important part of the Laggan system. In total there are 38 named pools offering a great variety of fishing with pools ranging from fairly slow and deep in the middle and lower sections of the river to faster, narrower water in the upper sections. All pools are accessible by vehicle and little walking or wading is required. The fishings are divided into four beats each accommodating up to four rods. Beats rotate on a daily basis. All the beats have a fishing hut.

Brown Trout Fishing in Lochs

Quality Brown Trout fishing is available on numerous Lochs. Laggan's trout fishing is regarded by many as some of the best trout fishing ot be had on the island.

Lochs Tallant and Beinn Uraraidh have both restocked and large baskets of trout up to 2 1/2  lbs are a regular occurrence. 

Loch Sgorra offers the opportunity to catch truly wild trout up to 7 IBS in weight.

Loch Dhomhnuill feeds the Duich River, one of Laggan's major spawning tributaries and offers the opportunity to catch both brown and sea trout.

The Estate has rowing boats on Lochs Tallant, Beinn Uraraidh, Sgorra and Dhomhnuill, but fishing is normally carried out from the bank. Transport can be arranged to Argocat to Lochs Bein Uraraidh and Sgorra for those that do not wish a long walk. The other lochs are accessible by motor vehicles.

Sea Angling

In 2002 the Estate purchased Eileen Dorothea (Redbay Fast Fisher with fish finder) which can accommodate up to six rods with comfort. The boat complete with boatman and tackle is available for hire on a day to day basis when river and loch conditions are not at their best. The possibility exists to catch coal fish, cod, pollock, conger, tope and mackerel.

Stalking Red and Roe Deer

Laggan rises from sea level to a high point of about 1,510 feet above sea level on Beinn Uraraidh and offers challenging stalking amidst magnificent scenery. Stalking for stags starts early in mid - September for one rifle. The estate is a member of the Islay (south) Deer Management Group.

The Estate has a very healthy population of Roe Deer.

Game Shooting and Wildfowling

A pheasant and partridge shoot has been established and developed  and annually about 1,500 birds are released. The Estate is therefore able to offer a variety of sport - driven, mini-driven and walked up rough shooting. In addition to pheasant and partridge shooting large bags of woodcock can be achieved.

Given the Estate's favourable position close to the sea duck flighting on regularly fed ponds and lochs provide excellent and exciting sport.
 

Isle of Islay - Places of Interest

To Visit:

• Pottery, Port Ellen
• Finlaggan Visitor Centre, Ballygrant
• Lifeboat Station, Port Askaig
• RSPB Nature Reserve, Loch Gruinart
• Woollen Mill, Bridgend
• Wildlife Information Centre, Port Charlotte
• Craft Fairs, Bowmore
• Tormisdale Crafts, by Portnahaven
• Distilleries at:   Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Lagavulin, Laphroaig
• Batik Gallery and Workshop

Historical

• Kilchoman Cross and Carved Slabs
• Dunyveg Castle (ruin), Lagavulin
• American Monument, Mull of Oa
• Cultoon Stone Circle, by Portnahaven
• Round Church, Bowmore
• Finlaggan Historical Site
• Kilnave Cross and Chapel
• Kildalton Cross and Chapel
• Museum of Islay Life, Port Charlotte

Other Activities 

• Seal Watching Trips, Port Ellen
• Playing Fields, Port Ellen
• Swimming Pool, Bowmore
• Bowling Green, Bridgend
• Golf Course, Machrie Hotel, Port Ellen
• Pony Trekking Rockside, by Bruichladdich
• Pony Trekking, Balivicar, Port Ellen
• Wildlife Cruises, Port Ellen 

Boleside

John Ashley Cooper makes reference to Boleside in his famous book, 'The Great Salmon Rivers in Scotland', first published in 1980. "As to the principal fishings on the Tweed, the best section of the river (with the exception of early spring) is undoubtedly that which lies between Ettrick Mouth and Teviot Mouth. This includes such good beats as Boleside, the Pavilion, Tweedswood, Bemersyde, Dryburgh, Mertoun, Rutherford, Makerstoun, Upper Floors, Lower Floors and Junction".

"This are all first-class fishings both in Autumn and Spring. They comprise some of the loveliest parts of the river; with a splendid variety of pools suitable both for wading and boating".

The River Tweed

Tweed is without doubt one of the four great Salmon rivers in Scotland, rising at Tweed Wells, six miles north of Moffat, and running for a length of over 100 miles to its mouth at Berwick-upon-Tweed. It is generally recognised that the best of the fly fishing is to be found in the middle reaches between Kelso and Galashields; Boleside is currently included in the top league.

With an annual rod catch of around 9,000 fish a year, Tweed is currently believed to be the most productive rod fishery for North Atlantic Salmon.

Situation and Directions to Boleside

The Boleside Fishings are situated about 1 mile south of Galashiels and 3 miles west of Melrose where the river flows between the estates of Gala and Abbotsford, at one time the home of Sir Walter Scott.

Directions

From the A68 at St. Boswells take the A6091 to Melrose and continue towards Galashiels, crossing over the Tweed on the Galafoot Bridge. Cross over the roundabout immediately after the bridge, still heading for the town. At the mini roundabout turn right on to Tweed Road. Follow this road towards the river and on reaching another roundabout turn right on to a minor country road which passes beneath the Galafoot Bridge and runs parallel to the fishings for approximately 1 mile before reaching the Fishing Bothy situated on the right hand side with Woodstock House and Cottage beyond.

Access

Access, including vehicular access, is excellent. The minor public road which is recent years has become a 'no through road' runs adjacent to the lower half of the river as far as the Fishing Bothy. beyond this point, fishermen drop down on to a private access road, formally the old railway line, which continues to run adjacent to the river and provides access to the pools of the top beat with a turning point opposite Hedge End.