Spotlight on Growth: Agritourism Opportunities in the Highlands and Islands
Highlands and Islands Enterprise brought together their regional teams specialising in food and drink and tourism in Inverness on Wednesday, in a collaborative effort to explore how enterprise agencies can support Scotland’s national agritourism strategy.
Caroline Millar, Sector Lead for Scottish Agritourism, led an interactive session on opportunities for agritourism in Scotland — with a particular focus on the Highlands and Islands. The event formed part of Scottish Agritourism Month, an ideal opportunity to showcase the sector’s contribution to rural economies and communities.
Three case study businesses were featured demonstrating business and personal growth.
The Scott Family at Fearn Farm, currently Agritourism Monitor Farmers are investing in re-building a new hotel and restaurant in the village of Balintore, Easter Ross, which marks a significant catalyst for re-generation of the village and local community. The restaurant will showcase Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb from Fearn Farm, three miles away as well as local seafood and will offer a sit-in as well as takeaway option for food.
Rachel MacDonald from Clachan Sands Campsite in North Uist is investing in new camp-site, toilet and farm retail facilities at the family farm. The investment will grow the family business and allow Rachel to remain working and living on the island while providing a quality visitor experience for tourists. Rachel has been part of the under 35s development programme run by Scottish Agritourism and this week obtained planning permission for the development.
Daisy Hewitt, Manager at Black Isle Berries near Tore was also highlighted as an employee of an agritourism business making a significant difference to that enterprise and someone who has chosen to work in the agritourism sector. Daisy has also undertaken the Scottish Agritourism Under 35s development programme, speaking alongside Rachel at the Scottish Agritourism Conference and recently taking part in a learning journey to Shropshire. Black Isle Berries are part of the Core Community Group for the Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme and are working on their marketing to drive up sales, being located at a prime location next to the Tore roundabout which many tourists pass on the way to different parts of the Highlands.
Scottish Agritourism looks forward to continuing to work with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support the sector.