Laggan: Seaview Snugs in Southwest Scotland

Review: Seaview Snugs at Laggan

It’s time to escape to a special place in Southwest Scotland, where your very own Seaview Snug awaits. Let me tell you all about it.

This post was written as part of a paid campaign with Laggan


Laggan life

Drifting inside our Woodland Snug to a welcoming wave of feel-good tunes on Smooth Radio, playing from the bedside speaker. Swiftly opening the French doors; an open invite to the pale sunshine and spring breeze. Time to settle in to, The Hive.

Waking up to a peaceful, peachy-pink sunrise over the Solway Coast; a complete contrast to the following morning, where our alarm clock was an orchestra of torrential rain: forceful, therapeutic and satisfying from the comfort of our cosy bed.

Sinking into the warm bubbles in the hot tub at Coastal Crib, the highest Hillside Snug; sipping a glass of Prosecco, and soaking in the sight of a milky sea and the blur of blue sky above it.

I knew from the start that Laggan life is the life for me; a feeling that lingered for the duration.

Breakfast at Gather, Laggan
Gather at Laggan

Welcome to Laggan

This peaceful, rural oasis is set on a hillside by the coast, freckled with 18 Seaview Snugs, a holiday cottage, a holiday home, a beautiful bistro, and a magical wedding venue.

Part of the McConchie family for over five generations, Laggan truly is a destination in itself. After inheriting the land in 2007, Vicki and Duncan McConchie have poured immeasurable love, time and effort into creating and maintaining this special place. From the large projects, to the finer details, these guys are not messing about.

When I found out Vicki is an artist, and the interior design is all her vision, complete with her own original artwork, I was impressed but not surprised. The sumptuous comforts, thoughtful wee touches, and cute, themed interiors really did not go unnoticed.  


Top reasons to stay at Laggan

  1. The Snugs are amazing; the perfectly balance of comfort and style.  
  2. The prices are reasonable given the quality of the experience; in the Highlands you’d pay more for a lower standard.
  3. Dumfries & Galloway is still a relatively under-the-radar destination and there is so much to see and do.
  4. There’s fantastic food & drink on-site, just a short stroll from the Snugs.
  5. The staff are so friendly and cheerful; it’s obvious when people are genuinely happy at work, and that says a lot about this family-run business.

Where is Laggan?

Laggan is located in rural Dumfries & Galloway, perfectly positioned on a hillside overlooking the Solway Coast. The closest town, Gatehouse of Fleet, is under 5 miles away.


Getting there by car

Search for ‘Sea View Snugs at Laggan’ on Google Maps for real-time driving directions. Each Hillside Snug has space for parking, while the Woodland Snugs have two car parks (one at the bottom and one at the top), then a short walk to the snugs.

Here are the approximate, minimum driving times:

  • Edinburgh to Laggan – 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Glasgow to Laggan – 2 hours

Travelling by public transport

While having your own vehicle is the easiest way to get to Laggan and explore the local area, it is entirely possible to reach the Snugs by public transport – which is exactly what I did! This is what my journey looked like:

  1. Train from Edinburgh to Dumfries (with 1 change in Carlisle) – 2 hours 30/45 minutes
  2. Walk from Dumfries Train Station to Whitesands bus stance 5 by the River Nith – 12 minutes
  3. Stagecoach bus no. 500 from Dumfries to Laggan – 1 hour 20 minutes.

Tell the bus driver that you’re getting off at Laggan; some will stop close to the entrance (traffic and driver dependent) or you’ll be dropped off further down the road and have to walk back. It’s then an uphill walk towards the Snugs, so I wouldn’t recommend packing more than you can comfortably carry.

As always, travelling without a car requires a bit of forward planning and extra effort, but I can assure you, Laggan is well worth the journey.


Gatehouse of Fleet
Gatehouse of Fleet

Sea View Snugs at Laggan

There are 18 Seaview Snugs at Laggan, divided into the Woodland Snugs, nestled in nature, and the higher Hillside Snugs; each with their own unique theme and character.

The Snugs sleep 2 or 4 people; some are dog friendly. Features include tea & coffee facilities, free WiFi, a fridge, a smart TV and super modern bathrooms with waterfall showers. There are even hot tub Snugs for some added luxury.

We experienced two Snugs in two nights, and loved them both.

  1. The Hive is a black & yellow, bee-themed Woodland Snug with outdoor seating for views of the coast.
  2. Coastal Crib is a white & blue, nautical-themed Hillside Snug, with two bedrooms, a large decking area outside, even farther-reaching views and a hot tub.
Inside The Hive, Seaview Snug at Laggan
Outside The Hive, Seaview Snug at Laggan
Inside Coastal Crib, Seaview Snug at Laggan
The decking at Coastal Crib, Seaview Snugs at Laggan

Prices start from £130 per night for a Standard Snug and £200 per night for a hot tub Snug.

The Snugs are open from April – October. The Murray Arms (see below) is open year-round.


Gather at Laggan: on-site bar & bistro

Laggan is a place to unwind and escape your daily routine; chores and cooking included! It’s by no accident that the Snugs are without kitchen facilities, and that a beautiful bistro has been created instead.

Glass-fronted Gather is where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served with sweeping views of Fleet Bay. Gather is a treat for the senses, from the lovely, leafy interior, awash with natural light, to the impressive menu featuring lots of local produce and international influences.

The foodie highlights for me were the fluffy pancakes for breakfast, the Teriyaki chipolata sausages, and the Cantonese style Sticky Orange Chicken. Yum!

In dry weather, take advantage of the fresh country air and outdoor seating to enjoy food and drinks whilst huddled around your own private chiminea; wood and kindling are available to purchase.

Next door to Gather, you’ll find a new space for private groups in the shape of a gorgeous glass dome. Graze can accommodate up to 35 people for canapés and cocktails (min. 20 people).

  • Always book a table in advance
  • View all the food and drink menus here
  • Breakfast is served between 9.00am and 11.30am.
  • The lunch & dinner menu is available from 12.00 noon.
  • If you’re staying on a Monday or Tuesday, last orders for food are at 5.00pm; every other night is 8.00pm.
Pancakes for breakfast, Gather at Laggan
Inside Gather at Laggan
Dinner in Gather at Laggan

Things to do near Laggan

The beauty of Laggan is that there’s enough on-site or on the doorstep to keep you relaxed and content without venturing too far – or even away from the Snugs at all, if you need to fully recharge. On the other hand, if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a whole wee world of possibilities within close reach.

Explore by car

If you have your own vehicle, Laggan is a brilliant base to discover the wider Dumfries & Galloway region. Not only is it stunning and incredibly diverse, it’s also outwith the realm of mass tourism, so you won’t be competing with crowds of tourists around here.

My top 5 places to visit near Laggan:

  • Gatehouse of Fleet – Laggan’s closest neighbour, this charming town has a rich history and industrial past. Visit the exhibition, café and bookshop at The Mill on the Fleet, wander through Cally Woods, and visit Galloway Lodge for lunch and their renowned handmade preserves.
  • Kirkcudbright – a colourful coastal town, known as the ‘Artists’ Town’ or ‘Scottish Riviera’. Check out MacLellan’s Castle and Kirkcudbright Galleries (11.5 miles from Laggan).
  • Wigtown – Scotland’s national book town, home to no less than a dozen book-related businesses and the annual Wigtown Book Festival. Heaven for bookworms! (14 miles from Laggan).
  • Dumfries – follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns; visit Robert Burns House where he spent the final years of his life and The Globe Inn, his favourite watering hole, for high-end food and a guided tour (35 miles from Laggan).
  • Isle of Whithorn – not an island (just to confuse you) but a picturesque wee place and the historic port for the Royal Burgh of Whithorn. Go for lunch in the harbourside village pub, The Steam Packet Inn (35 miles from Laggan).
Isle of Whithorn
Isle of Whithorn
The bookshop at The Mill on the Fleet
Mill on the Fleet

Explore on public transport

Travelling without a car forces you to focus on Laggan’s special location and the immediate surrounds, and takes the pressure off feeling like you have to “do stuff”. Forget the FOMO, slow down and keep it simple.

  • Hop on the no. 500 bus to Gatehouse of Fleet (suggested things to do above). The journey takes just 20 minutes. There are also local taxis available if you need them; be sure to book ahead.
  • Wander from the Snugs down to the secluded, sandy beach at Mossyard Bay; a true hidden gem. The walk takes around 25 minutes; maybe a wee bit longer on the uphill march back!
  • Hike the hill behind the Snugs up to the whale-bone arch for a breath-taking panorama from countryside to coast, with a sprinkling of Sea View Snugs. Anyone who visited the previous outdoor centre at Laggan will remember this as the spot where the zip-line started.
Mossyard Bay near Laggan
Mossyard Bay

The Murray Arms

The McConchie family are an unstoppable force, having just recently renovated and reopened The Murray Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet; none other than the 18th century coaching inn where Robert Burns famously penned ‘Scots Wha Hae’.

In true Laggan style, the brand-new, luxurious interior is nothing short of stunning; quite possibly the most thoughtfully, uniquely and beautifully styled rooms that I’ve seen anywhere in Scotland. All designed by Vicki herself, featuring her incredible artwork throughout.

  • There are 14 rooms: a mix of double, twin, family and single.
  • There is one accessible room on the ground floor and some rooms are dog friendly.
  • Breakfast is included in the room rate and served on-site.
  • For lunch, dinner and drinks, head to Gather at Laggan.
Burns Room., The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet
Outside The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet
The Murray Arms, Gatehouse of Fleet

Prices start from £160 per night, including breakfast. Find out more and book here.


Discount Code

Get 10% off any Standard Seaview Snug at Laggan or any room at The Murray Arms.


To claim the discount, you just need to reference ‘The Chaotic Scot’ when you phone or email to book (not applicable to online bookings). ⁠

To book, email [email protected] or phone 01556 840206 option 2. ⁠


Me holding a cup of tea in one of the Seaview Snugs at Laggan

I hope you enjoyed reading about my stay at Laggan.

I’m Kay, by the way; you can read more about me here.

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