Venture outdoors to your neighbourhood farm or travel further afield and pick a variety of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, pumpkins, flowers and more to take home with you.
‘Pick your own’ is a great way to support local businesses whilst being able to tuck into a range of freshly grown Scottish produce. Here are just a few farms in Scotland to visit where you can pick your own this summer and autumn.
1. N J McWilliam & Co, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire
N J McWilliam & Co © @njmcwilliam
Head over to the east coast to Aberdeenshire where you’ll be met by the colourful Flower Field. Home to a bountiful selection of blooming flowers in spring and summer, including peonies, tulips, iris, allium, and sunflowers, it’s the perfect place to be to treat yourself, or your loved ones, to a gorgeous bunch of fresh flowers.
2. Westerton Farmers Spud Hut, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire
Welcome to The Spud Hut! Selling locally grown carrots, swede and eggs, as well as their own tatties. The Spud Hut is a passionate part of Scotland’s Go Rural farmers who are always happy to tell you about the farm and how the pick-your-own potatoes and vegetables are grown. You can visit them at Cairnton Farm which is located on the B966 just outside Auchenblae.
3. Redhouse of Barra, Aberdeenshire
Situated on the north east coast of Aberdeenshire, Barra Castle produces great tasting soft fruit in the extensive grounds and farm, Barra Berries. Here you can find the tastiest strawberries, raspberries and blackberries that are all grown to a high standard on the farm. The berries are also extra special because they pack a wonderful nutritional punch and are a special source of natural goodness.
4. Cairnie Fruit Farm, Fife
Cairnie Fruit Farm © @cairnie_fruitfarm
Nestled near the Fife town of Cupar, head to Cairnie Fruit Farm where you will be spoilt for choice on what to pick. Home to a popular pumpkin patch, browse all shapes, sizes and colours of these Halloween decorations for you to carve or cook. Elsewhere on the farm, there is an abundance of ready-to-pick strawberries (four varieties), raspberries (three varieties), redcurrants, gooseberries, tayberries, cherries, brambles, and sunflowers. It’s also a great place for the kids to enjoy too with a maze, outdoor café and children’s play area.
5. Craigie’s Fruit Farm, Edinburgh
Craigie’s Fruit Farm, South Queensferry
From June to October, pay a visit to Craigie’s Fruit Farm in Edinburgh to pick your own strawberries, cherries, apples, beans, peas, sunflowers and pumpkins. Buy an entry ticket before your visit and download the handy online map to navigate your way around each field on the farm. Why not head to the farm shop or shop online, for delicious home-grown products to try?
6. Arnprior Farm, Stirling
Arnprior Farm, Stirling
Established in 2015, visit Arnprior Farm in Stirling, where you can roam the six acre farm and hand pick your favourite seasonal pumpkins. From huge Cinderella orange pumpkins and green warty pumpkins, to beautiful white, and even funky stripy pumpkins, there’s a wide variety of all shapes and sizes to choose from. Whether you want to make pumpkin soup, a pumpkin pie, test out your carving skills or just add to your Halloween décor, Scottish pumpkins are the perfect choice. While you’re here, why not try out the swim school? It’s Scotland’s only farm with a private eco pool!
7. Loch Ness Pumpkins, Inverness
Make some memories whilst picking pumpkins as the autumn leaves fall at Loch Ness Pumpkins at Corrimony Farm. Keep your eyes peeled for the biggest, or littlest, to add to your Halloween decorations or carve into a masterpiece.
8. Broadslap Fruit Farm, Dunning, Perthshire
Broadslap Fruit Farm © @broadslapfruitfarm
This small family-run business is tucked away in the lush countryside of Perthshire and is renowned for its high-quality vegetables and soft fruit, including raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. Broadslap Farm also offers a fine selection of vegetables including delicious potatoes, cabbage, leeks, carrots and seasonal surprises, fresh from the farm. Stop off in the new coffee shop which serves up a range of coffees, teas, cold drinks, homemade soup, along with locally made bread, scones and cakes.
9. Pittormie Fruit Farm, Fife
Pittormie Fruit Farm © @pittormiefruitfarm
Situated in the north east of Fife, Pittormie Fruit Farm is a small family-run farm which aims to produce quality fresh food that boasts real flavour – which for them means chemical use is minimal. Head to the farm shop which is stocked with fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, alongside superb free-range eggs from our ‘gaun aboot hens’. Within the shop you can also browse a range of jams, jellies, marmalade, chutney and lemon curd to buy.
10. Arbuckles, Dundee
Arbuckle Farm Shop © @arbuckle_farm_shop
Open from May to September, seven days a week, head along to Arbuckles Farm Shop on the outskirts of Dundee, where you’re guaranteed to discover some of the most mouth-watering berries and tasty free-range eggs in Scotland, as well as delicious artisan ice cream. Browse the rest of the shop which is stocked with only the best local produce.
11. Blacketyside Farm, Fife
Visit the picturesque town of Leven in Fife where you can taste some of the finest Scottish strawberries and raspberries which are enjoyed by families throughout Scotland. Blacketyside Farm offers a whole host of local produce, a fresh butcher’s counter, a florist and a quaint little tearoom offering delicious food and cakes. The surrounding hilly landscapes and warm summer days provide the perfect conditions for over 70 acres of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and cherries to grow. The kids will also love the playground, bouncy trampolines and slides.
12. Balhungie Berry Farm, Angus
Head along to Balhungie Berry Farm just outside of Monifieth where you can buy berries fresh from the fields on the day they’re picked, in the summer months. Tuck into drinks, snacks, cakes and ice creams and enjoy them outside on the old tennis court.
13. Briarlands Farm, Stirling
Please note that strawberry picking is not yet available. Please check the website for details.
Take a trip to Briarlands Farm for a special day of strawberry picking. Grown in polytunnels on wires which are waist height, they are easy to pick and can also be picked whatever the weather – a great advantage for Scotland!
14. East Yonderton Farm, near Glasgow Airport
Check the Facebook page to find out when strawberry picking is available.
Over on the west coast in Renfrewshire, East Yonderton Farm has plenty of home-grown produce to get your hands on. From strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants, to peas, broccoli, potatoes and more. This family-run farm has been growing soft fruits since 1926, so you can bet they know their stuff about growing delicious local produce!
We hope this has inspired you to explore Scotland’s farms and enjoy its delicious local produce and home-grown delights. Share your experiences on our social media channels; Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, or comment below which location is your favourite.
Comments