Agritourismo was a phrase first used in rural Italy - where small farms will often offer farm shops, tours or accommodation - buit is now taking off in rural Scotland.
It's a cause close to our hearts as a family offering accommodation on our own hill sheep farm. At Eastside, guests see farming life in action as we gather the sheep from the hills can say a friendly 'hello' to the working sheep dogs as they pass their kennels.
To us, agritourism allows a traveller to explore a place beyond the usual tourist routes. It encourages connections to the landscape and the local people. It allows the traveller to taste the land, to stay with and to speak with local farmers and makers; to get a genuine understanding for a place - as well as supporting the families that live and work in the landscape.
Agritourism in Scotland's central belt
See our summary below of agritourism offerings near Eastside which we think are well worth a visit.
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Errington cheese
Incredible artisan cheese makers, milking sheep and making cheese in the Pentland Hills. The Errington's have just opened Errington Barn (previously the Big Red Barn) a fantastic cafe and cheese shop with regular tasting events to explore.
Elsrickle, Biggar ML12 6QZ, UK
Errington Cheese Directions from Eastside -
Homestead café & farm shop
The Homestead is a wonderful wee farm shop and cafe on the Hirsel Estate; passionate followers of the estate to plate philosophy and champions of local producers.
Hirsel Homestead, Coldstream TD12 4LW, UK
Homestead café & farm shop Directions from Eastside -
Smeaton nursery & gardens
A locally family owned and run farm, plant nursery, and tea room. Selling their own highland beef, ryeland lamb, honey and apple juice.
Preston Rd, East Linton EH40 3DT, UK
Smeaton nursery & gardens Directions from Eastside -
Killduff honesty hut
A family-run arable farm in East Lothian producing their own rapeseed oil, apple juice, and honey; all for sale in their little honesty hut situated either in the farm steading or at the end of the farm road.
Kilduff Mains, North Berwick EH39 5BD, UK
Killduff honesty hut Directions from Eastside -
Bowhouse
The Bowhouse ethos is 'replacing the missing link in our local food chain'. Bowhouse have their own butcher, flour mill, brewery, and restaurant as well as a host of other small rural businesses. Their market days are worth a trip.
Bowhouse, St Monans, East Neuk, Anstruther KY10 2DB, UK
Bowhouse Directions from Eastside -
Grow Wild
Grow Wild’s farm shop is a thriving wee hub stuffed full of fresh, certified-organic produce picked daily on their own and neighbouring farms and also from further afield.
Bonnytoun Farm, Linlithgow EH49 7LP, UK
Grow Wild Directions from Eastside -
Lothian Lavender
Open once a year when the lavender field is in bloom (check website for opening times). Otherwise, purchase beautiful lavender products online.
redshill farm, gifford, Haddington EH41 4JN, UK
Lothian Lavender Directions from Eastside -
Old Leckie
Old Leckie is a wonderful, mixed farm offering (pre-booked) farm tours. Visit the highland cattle, sheep, outdoor-reared pigs, and chickens. Add a farm tasting to sample their award-winning range of seasonal farm produce including free range eggs, highland beef, outdoor reared pork, lamb, and Leckie Leaves and Tatties.
Gargunnock, Stirling FK8 3BN, UK
Old Leckie Directions from Eastside -
Wee farm distillery
The wee farm distillery offers tours and tastings in their own distilling bothy. Next door is their Steak & Still farm shop, selling gin and native wagu beef!
Forth, Lanark ML11 8EN, UK
Wee farm distillery Directions from Eastside -
Hillhead of Covington
Pick up your milk from the Milk Hut at Hilhead or book in for a farm experience to meet the cows and calves - and maybe even have a go at milking.
Covington Rd, Thankerton, Biggar ML12 6NE, UK
Hillhead of Covington Directions from Eastside -
The Brand family larder
The Brand family sell their home reared lamb, pork, and eggs from their farm shop as well as an incredible range of locally produced items from ice cream to fresh bread and scones.
The Farmhouse, East Fortune, North Berwick EH39 5BT, UK
The Brand family larder Directions from Eastside -
The Free Company
The Free Company open in the summer for walk-in (or walk over the hills in our case) Sunday lunches. They also occasionally organise farm walks to show off their cattle, sheep, and impressive vegetable club operation.
The Free Company, Balerno, Midlothian, Edinburgh EH14 7HZ, UK
The Free Company Directions from Eastside -
Ardross Farm shop
A wonderful family farm shop selling their own pasture-for-life meat and home grown veg. They have their own kitchen, making pies and baking to die for. A stone's throw from the Fife coastal path, they often run farm tours and open days.
Ardross Farm, Elie KY9 1EU, UK
Ardross Farm shop Directions from Eastside -
Wilson's farm & kitchen
For day trips to the Scottish Borders, do consider Wilson's Farm & Kitchen for a (pre booked) lunch. Lucy & Robert cook up a storm! Don't miss their curry nights served up in their wee tin bothies. A bit of a drive but well worth it.
Kelso TD5 8EH, UK
Wilson's farm & kitchen Directions from Eastside -
Lennox of Lomond
Farm tours on the banks of Loch Lomond. The Lennox family organise everything from an hour long lambing experience to a 'day in the life of a farmer'. Quad tours and sheep dog demonstrations can also be arranged.
Luss, Alexandria G83 8RH, UK
Lennox of Lomond Directions from Eastside -
Portnellan Farm
A farm tour with a difference, Portnellan offer boat tours of Loch Lomond from their beautiful organic farm. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available.
Portnellan Farm, Gartocharn, Alexandria G83 8NL, UK
Portnellan Farm Directions from Eastside -
Cairnie Fruit Farm
A wonderful pick-your-own, with strawberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, gooseberries, cherries, and sunflowers. Lots of entertainment for kids in the "mega-maze" and "funyard".
Cairnie, Cupar KY15 4QD, UK
Cairnie Fruit Farm Directions from Eastside
