Family farm is on luxury food and drink tour
Countryside experience for hotel guests
A Stirlingshire farm has joined the new luxury ‘Taste of Scotland’ food trails.
Scottish bespoke tour operator Sleigh’s and five-star Prestonfield Hotel and The Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh have teamed up to launch new tailor-made food and drink trails around the Lothians, Perthshire and Stirlingshire - including Old Leckie Farm, near Gargunnock.
The aim is to showcase some of the best Scottish produce and hospitality for overnight guests, with the food trails designed to help tell the story of the journey from the sea, coastline, farm or countryside to plate as part of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Guided by their own private chauffeur, overnight guests of Prestonfield and The Witchery by the Castle will be offered the chance to enjoy a truly authentic taste of the coast and countryside within a two-hour drive time of Edinburgh city centre, with the visits including a quad bike or tractor tour at Old Leckie Farm near Stirling.
Guests will get the chance to meet the family who have worked the land at Old Leckie Farm in Stirlingshire for over 100 years, the Youngers.
Tours will include meeting the farm animals and learning about the ethos of sustainable agriculture and diversification, as well as sampling homegrown and reared delicacies.
Guests will also get the chance to complete the story of the journey from sea or farm to plate by enjoying a mouthwatering evening meal as part of their overnight stay at Prestonfield or The Witchery. Fine dining menus at both venues feature some of the local produce that guests will have discovered on their luxury food tour.
Nestled under the Gargunnock Hills and surrounded by lush grass and age old trees, Old Leckie is a 300-acre family farm.
Alison Younger said: “We’re proud to care sustainably for our animals and our environment so that we can grow the very best in fresh, local produce. We welcome visitors to our farm as guests in our five-star self-catering accommodation, as part of a farm experience tour and to buy our award-winning produce.”
Alison and Fergus Younger have welcomed guests to their home and farm over many years.
“The location itself provides a beautiful backdrop for visitors,” added Alison, “combining the bustle of a family farm with 16th century Old Leckie Castle, local history tales, century-old trees, hidden bridges and waterfalls.”
The farm also features 1300 freerange laying hens, 500 Llyen/Texel sheep, 300 acres of mixed livestock with hay and silage production, a 70 Limousin Suckler herd, as well as outdoor reared pigs, small scale horticulture (salad/potatoes), holiday accommodation and farm tours.
The ground at Leckie dates back to the time of Robert the Bruce in the 1300s. Old Leckie castle was built in 1530 by Alexander Leckie, bodyguard to Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle. From 1745 Leckie was owned by the Moir family who hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie and in 1906 it was purchased by the Youngers.