Working farm holidays & stays in Scotland

While there is a quintessential image of staying in the countryside, farm stays come in all shapes and sizes too. Will it be a first-hand experience looking after the animals or will you choose a farm stay with a twist instead? Many farms across Scotland are expanding and sharing their agricultural experiences, traditional as well as new ventures. From yoga retreats to watersport activities, being in the fresh air will certainly uplift your mood.

Find out more about the benefits of a farm stay in Scotland.

Experiencing life on the farm can be fun but everyone deserves a little time to relax and unwind. When it comes to farm stays, Scotland boasts a wide range of accommodation and is perfect for any occasion.

Couples can book a romantic getaway at The Hideaway in Angus. With up to four Hideaways to choose from, each is exclusively designed with its own unique furnishings. Take a romantic picnic lunch while gazing out to the picturesque views of Angus, Fife and Perthshire from the top of Balluderon Hill. In the evening, head back to the comforts of your accommodation and have a glass of champagne in your very own private hot tub! 

Perhaps you’re looking to explore further afield? Stay in the luxurious Nortower Lodges. This working Shetland croft is complete with two newly built lodges, Boitan and Holsas for you to stay in. Be at one with nature as you take in the beautiful scenery and the natural fauna and wildlife that surrounds you. Work up an appetite while you visit Mackenzie’s Farm Shop and Café nearby, you’ll be tempted to try some of their delicious homemade dishes. Pick up some of the finest ingredients, from beef, lamb and pork to freshly made jams and chutneys.

Quirky farm stays

Holidays are also a great opportunity to try something new. Take it up a notch and settle for a quirky farm stay instead. Escape to a hobbit house or treehouse at Craighead Howf in Perthshire, stay in a beautifully converted bus at The Bus Stop in East Lothian or reside for a few nights on a Sea King helicopter at Mains Farm in Stirling. No passport is required for this stay!

Find more quirky places to stay on a farm in Scotland

See all farm accommodation in Scotland

Farm tours

Have you ever wanted to experience life on the farm? Now is your chance! Let our farmers lead the way and show you around on a farm tour. From feeding the animals and alpaca walking, to visiting a barley farm and learning the process behind making Scotland’s national drink, get ready to enjoy the wonders of agritourism!

• Jacksons At Jedburgh, Scottish Borders – running farm tours from April to October, you’ll get the chance to meet some woolly residents, including wool shedding sheep and Salers Cross cattle. Spring is the season of new beginnings and new life, meet adorable new-born calves when lambing season takes place throughout April and May.
• Newton Farm Holidays, Angus – experience a day in the life of a farmer at Newton Farm Holidays. Choose from a wide range of first-hand experiences including bottle feeding the lambs, walking your very own alpaca or take part in the Feeding Frenzy when dinner is served to the animals in the evening.
• Bellevue Farm Tours, Arran – you’ll have lots of farm duties lined up for you on a day visit to Bellevue Farm. Feed the animals, collect fresh eggs from the hens, see the machinery and learn more about working farm life in general. The farmers will happily give you the lowdown of their busy daily routines throughout the seasons. There's also a picnic area and outdoor play area.
• Byres Farm, Moray – it’s not just all about the animals on a farm tour, have you ever wondered what the process is behind making Scotland’s national drink from start to finish? Meet with one of the farmers on the Malting Barley Whisky Tour where they will take you through the fields explaining the process of growing barley which is used to make the famous Glenlivet whisky. You’ll also be shown all the machinery used to harvest this crop. Or book the General Farm Tour for a behind-the-scenes look on a mixed farm, from meeting the animals to seeing a range of machinery.
• Lennox of Lomond, Argyll – experience a day in the life of a farmer and you’ll get stuck into lots of different activities from sheep shearing and feeding the animals to sheepdog demonstrations. Enjoy a freshly prepared 3-course lunch before setting off to finish the rest of the afternoon’s activities. Take the Quad Bike Trailer Tour to get up close to see cows and sheep in pasture or take a beginner’s class in Dry Stone Diking, an age-old technique used to restore walls and raised beds on the farm.

Virtual tours

Check out Go Rural's Facebook page to see videos of virtual farm tours and look out for live events - a great way to enjoy life on the farm if you can't visit in person!

Farm experiences through the seasons

Spring

Spring brings new life on the farm here in Scotland and who doesn’t love seeing adorable farm animals? Lambing season takes place throughout April and May each year welcoming the arrival of newborn lambs. Experience life on a working farm tour where you will discover the ins and outs of lambing season, as well as the day-to-day farm duties. Farms taking part include Lennox of Lomond, Bellevue Farm, Native and Wild and Boutique Farm Bothies. 

Find more fun ideas for a spring break in Scotland

Summer

The temperatures are rising, and it looks like Scotland is ready to entice you with its sizzling selection of farm experiences. Cool down at Portnellan Farm in Argyll where you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to all things watersports. Feel the wind in your hair as you take a speed boat tour on Loch Lomond or enjoy a relaxing day afloat in a canoe or kayak. If you prefer to stay on dry land, the farm offers a range of farm tours where you will learn all about organic farming or why not enjoy the best of both worlds with a farm and speedboat tour?

Summer in Scotland is also your prime opportunity to soak up the sunshine and go fruit picking. You’ll find a tasty selection of in season fruit to pick from leafy hedgerows. Fill your punnet with strawberries at Craigie’s Farm in Edinburgh or find a new fruit to try at Cairnie Fruit Farm where you will come across ripe and juicy tayberries, brambles, gooseberries, cherries and much more.

Find out more about local food experiences in Scotland.

Autumn

It’s never too late to enjoy what Scotland has to offer during the cooler months. Immerse yourself in autumn colours, with hues of mustard yellows, glowing oranges and vibrant reds to help you celebrate this picturesque season in all its glory. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to go pumpkin picking. Whether you’re looking to get wickedly creative at home with your carving skills or use them for delicious recipes, you’ll be able to find any pumpkin size or shape, and even pick from a range of colour too. Kilduff Farm, Loch Ness Pumpkins and Arnprior Farm are just some of the pumpkin patches that you can find here in Scotland.

Find more farm experiences to try in Scotland this autumn