The Lagafater Estate facts for kids

Lagafater is a large area of land, about 7,000 acres, located near New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. For a long time, it was used as a place for hunting and outdoor sports. Since 1910, the estate has been owned by the family of its current owner, Sir Nicholas Spicer.

History of Lagafater Estate

Early Owners and Changes

The land that includes Lagafater was first owned by the Earl of Cassillis. In the years 1541 and 1550, parts of this land were given to Thomas Kennedy of Bargany. The estate stayed within the larger Kennedy family for many years.

Later, in 1822, Lagafater was sold to the people managing the property for John, Earl of Stair. After that, it changed hands several times. It was sold to Robert Stewart of Corfin in 1847, then to Sir George de la Poer Beresford in 1859. In 1863, a well-known lawyer named William White Millar SSC bought it. Finally, in 1887, the British Linen Company purchased the estate.

White Millar and the Boult Family

In 1894, William White Millar bought the Lagafater Estate again. He also combined it with another estate called Dalnigap, which he had bought in 1892. In 1910, White Millar sold the estate to Cedric Randall Boult. Cedric was the father of a very famous conductor, Sir Adrian Boult.

Sir Adrian Boult was very busy with his music around the world, so he couldn't visit the estate often. His sister, Olive I E Boult, later inherited the estate. Eventually, it passed to her step-great-nephew, Sir Nicholas Spicer.

Homes on the Estate

Main Buildings and Cottages

The main house on the estate is called Lagafater Lodge. It's a big house built in the Edwardian style, which was popular in the early 1900s. It was originally used as a hunting lodge, a place where people would stay when they went hunting.

The estate also had smaller homes, like crofts and cottages. These included Lagafater Cottage, Strabracken (which is now in ruins), Barnvannoch, and Shennas (which has since been sold). Dalnigap House, which was the main home for the Dalnigap Estate, is now also owned by private individuals.

Ancient Hut Circles

The very first homes in this area were much older. You can still see signs of them today! About 800 meters south of Lagafater Lodge, there are ancient Hut Circles. These are circular marks on the ground where people built their homes many centuries ago. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) officially recognized these important historical sites in 1981.

The Lagafater Landscape

Moorland, Hills, and Forests

Lagafater was originally a large area of heather moorland. This means it was covered in low-growing heather plants. The best-preserved parts of this original moorland can be found in an area called the Black Glen, located in the northern part of the estate.

The highest point on the estate is a hill called Beneraird, which is 439 meters tall. From the top of Beneraird, you can see a very wide view. On a clear day, you can see parts of four different "kingdoms": England, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland! The estate also has several large forests made up of conifer trees, like pine and spruce.

Rivers and Waterfalls

The main river that runs through the estate is the Water of Luce. This river is known as a Category 3 Salmon River, meaning it's a good place for salmon to live and swim.

Besides the main river, there are many smaller streams, called burns, on the estate. These include Laggie, Scraby Lane, Lagganbeastie, Drummanmoan Loan, Pinwherran, and the Loan of Turchloy. You can also find several impressive waterfalls here. Some notable ones are in Whisky Glen and Dungeon Glen, and at a place called the Loups of Dalnigap.

Protected Natural Areas

A large part of the Lagafater Estate is located within a special protected area. This area is known as the Glenapp and Galloway Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These sites are protected because they have important wildlife, plants, or geological features.

Images for kids

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  Loups of Dalnigap

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  The Black Glen

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  The Centre of the Estate, from the dismantled dam.

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  Lagafater Lodge from Laggie Burn

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  The main façade of the Lodge