Entrepreneurial spirit driving farm diversification across the country
INNOVATIVE farmers and landowners aren’t short of ideas when it comes to farm diversification, with everything from glamping, farm shops, wedding venues and farm experiences and tours, to children’s activities, livery, B&Bs and farm stays all becoming prolific in Scotland.
Farmers in Scotland are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and there are plenty of examples of long-established enterprises – and new ones – with agritourism very much in focus.
Indeed, the high-profile Scottish Agritourism is leading the charge, working with the nation’s majro tourism body VisitScotland to measure the economic impact of the agritourism
sector, look at future growth, and support the development of a pipeline of agritourism businesses.
Arguably at the top of the agritourism tree is food and drink which has benefited from consumer demand for buying locallysourced produce and rising
interest in provenance – and, crucially, the story behind the producer and the products they grow or make.
According to the 2022 Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker, undertaken by VisitScotland on behalf of Scottish Agritourism, money generated by farm
retail increased by almost £50 million during the first year of the pandemic, rising from £62m to over £110m – findings that highlight the significant value and opportunity for Scotland’s farms, rural communities and visitor economy of including a food and drink experience as part of Scotland’s agritourism offering.
The tracker revealed that over one-third of agritourism businesses are offering food and drink consumption on site. This can include farm produce enjoyed as part of a holiday on a farm, in a farm café, or after a farm tour.
However, diversification is by no means restricted to food and drink as the sheer breadth and variety of businesses listed on the Go Rural website confirms.
There are many options and opportunities to explore for farms looking to boost income and become more sustainable – and for those seeking to create new and different revenue streams through innovative ideas which boost rural economies and provide local jobs.
One business that knows all about diversification is that of Kenneth and Eleanor
Bone and their three children Cameron, Euan, and Hannah, from Glenkiln farm on the Isle of Arran. The mixed business was deemed the best diversified farm in the inaugural Scottish Agriculture Awards 2023 – and took home the Champion of Champions award at the prestigious event run by The Scottish Farmer.
Glenkiln, which used to be a dairy farm 20 years ago, diversified to boost income, starting off with liveries then long-term lets after converting farm cottages. That has since led to a hydro scheme, the purchase of a local restaurant and pub, and also an indoor riding arena.
Another high-profile farm diversification business is Arbikie
Estate, a wellknown fourthgeneration family- owned farm on the east coast of Angus, famous for Arbikie Distillery which produces a growing range of vodka, whisky and gin with ambitious plans to become one of the world’s most sustainable distilleries.
It has to be said that Scottish Agritourism is doing a sterling job marketing agritourism direct to consumers through its Go Rural brand, with the website a one-stop shop for those looking for farm stays and immersive experiences – although it also allows people to purchase quality food and drink too.
Members of Scottish Agritourism benefit from this marketing tool and to help spread the word to visitors to Scotland and holidaymakers considering a rural stay or day out, the Go Rural map, which was launched during the first-ever Scottish Agritourism month last May, features information on over 200 businesses.
The map, featuring agritourism businesses the length and breadth of Scotland, from Shetland to the Scottish Borders, can be found in VisitScotland’s network of 26 iCentres around the country.
A digital version of the map is also available at the Go Rural website at www.goruralscotland.com