Scottish Agritourism is the official body for the agritourism sector in Scotland. Providing leadership and a strong voice to represent and grow the sector.

Agritourism is a combination of tourism, agriculture and food and drink. No international definition of agritourism exists and agritourism varies from country to country so, Scottish Agritourism leaders created the Scottish definition of agritourism:

“Tourism or leisure on a working farm, croft or estate which produces food.”

Agritourism includes, but is not limited to: 

  • All type of on farm accommodation from farmhouse bed and breakfast to glamping barns, luxury lodges and hotels.

  • Things to do on a farm including farm tours, eating farm produce in an farm cafe or restaurant, adventure sports, health and wellness, children’s farm experiences.

  • On farm events – either holding your own event or wedding on a farm or attending organised farm events and festivals including harvest festivals.

  • Buying fresh farm produce direct from a farmer by visiting a farm shop.

The “Go Rural Cow” is being used to signify to consumers that they are visiting a real working farm.

While Scottish Agritourism is the member organisation and sector body, working on behalf of agritourism businesses in Scotland, Go Rural is the brand that we use to promote the sector and our Scottish Agritourism members to the public.  Our website goruralscotland.com has a listing for each of our members and lots of ideas for places to visit in Scotland and the local agritourism you’ll find there.  Our members also have access to a separate area of the Go Rural website where they can connect, network and exchange knowledge with fellow members.



Economic Impact of Agritourism

The first growth tracker survey for the Scottish agritourism sector was run by Visit Scotland in June 2021 to measuring the sector’s annual contribution.  From the results, the on-farm tourism and leisure economic data will sit within tourism figures, while the sales of food and drink direct from a farm will sit within food and drink economic data.

People visiting farms for a holiday or a day out also spend money with many other businesses as part of that visit and so, the survey also estimates the economic multiplier benefit of agritourism for the economy.

The second Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker closed to submissions in July 2022, the results are being analysed and will be announced in due course. We are pleased to have had good participation from the sector and we hope to see this increase year on year.  Preliminary findings from the Growth Tracker survey will be shared with Scottish Agritourism members at the Scottish Agritourism Conference in December.

Scottish Agritourism is providing leadership for the sector and is working closely with Scotland’s:

  • Agritourism businesses
  • Rural tourism businesses
  • Government, local authorities, enterprise agencies and Visit Scotland
  • Destination Management Organisations
  • Food Groups
  • Sector Bodies
  • Industry bodies in tourism, agriculture and food and drink
  • Suppliers to the sector including industry professionals and trade suppliers to realise the potential of this important sector for the future sustainability of farming in Scotland and for our rural communities.

The Scottish Enterprise Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme has played a vital role in supporting skills development and business growth in the sector.


 

More Membership Options

Scottish Agritourism offers several different membership types, each with their own marketing benefits, support, lobbying and representation, plus membership opportunities for Sponsors, Patrons and member of the Press.