GOLD CONFERENCE SPONSOR
9.00am – 09.45am
Registration Open
Networking, exhibition stands open
Tea/coffee on arrival, with homebaking from Black Isle Berries
9.35am
Delegates take their seats
09.45am – 10.15am
Session 1 – Agritourism Counts in Scotland
Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and the Islands, will announce top level results from Scotland’s Agritourism Census 2025, showing the current value of agritourism and farm retail in Scotland and with Caroline Millar, Sector Lead will provide details of the National Strategy targets, progress to date and focus for the coming year.
10.15am – 11.00am
Session 2 – International Keynote, Achill Mountain Lamb, Ireland
Sisters, Grainne and Martina Calvey, share their story of building up the brand and business of Achill Mountain Lamb, including running their own family abattoir for the past 60 years.
This session will be chaired by Riddell Graham, Chairman, Scottish Agritourism.
11.00am – 11.30am
Break – Networking and exhibition stands open
Tea/coffee with homebaking from Ardross Farm
11.30am – 12.15pm
Session 3 – Launch of Scottish Agritourism Health and Safety Industry Toolkit
A new resource for Scottish Agritourism members, supporting the safety of family, employees and visitors. This session will be chaired by Laura Paterson, Manager, Scottish Agritourism, who will also provide an overview of what the resource will include.
Scottish Agritourism member Rebecca McEwen of Arnprior Farm, near Stirling, will present on how she and husband, Duncan, have successfully introduced and grown a range of on-farm experiences, including one of Scotland’s largest pumpkin festivals and sell out lambing tours, with the health and safety of visitors underpinning all of their business activities.
12.15pm – 1.15pm
Session 4 – Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farm
The power of collective support – business case studies.
- David McMiken, Ernespie Farm, Dumfries & Galloway
- Neil McGowan, Incheoch Farm, Perthshire
- Sarah Parker, Bowmuir Farm Holidays, Lanarkshire
This session will be chaired by Daisy Hewitt, Manager, Black Isle Berries.
1.15pm to 2.05pm
Lunch
Lunch sourced from Gloagburn Farm Shop
2.05pm – 3.10pm
Session 5 – New Entrants to Agritourism (and Farming)
Career changes from Economist, Nurse and Insurance Broker to agritourism and farming. Lessons learned from a previous life brought to the new venture.
- Lauren Houston, Glenkilrie Farm, Perthshire
- Graeme McColl, Charleton Fruit Farm, Angus
- Ruth Sutherland, Hillhouse Farm, Scottish Borders
This session is chaired by Jenn Stewart, Head of Rural, Johnston Carmichael.
3.10pm – 4.15pm
Session 6 – The Future of Scotland’s Agritourism Sector
Views from the under 40’s participating in the Agritourism Futures Development Programme supported by Scottish Rural Network.
Stephen Buchan, Head of Agriculture (Scotland), Virgin Money will give a short introduction to Virgin Money, with an important announcement for young agritourism entrepreneurs. Virgin Money is Gold Conference Sponsor.
- Lily Reade, Isle of Mull Cheese
- Rebecca Cheyne, Mayen Estate
- Helen Stewart, Badvo Distillery/Fair Feast Venison
This session is chaired by Jillian Kennedy, Lurgan Farm, Chair of Scottish Association of Young Farmers
4.15pm – 4.30pm
2026 – A big year for Scottish Agritourism & our members
Laura Paterson, Scottish Agritourism Manager and Caroline Millar, Sector Lead.
Free time
6.00pm – 6.45pm
Drinks reception and networking in foyer of Perth Concert Hall
Sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn
7.00pm – Late
Agritourism Sector Recognition Awards & Dinner
Farmer and Comedian, Jim Smith, is the MC for the inaugural Scottish Agritourism Sector Recognition Awards, inviting recipients to share a humorous reflection on their agritourism journeys and the secrets of their success.
Awards will be presented for business milestones and lifetime achievement and there will be two posthumous recognition awards.
Dinner Sponsored by Azets.
Specially Selected Pork for the dinner supported by Silver Sponsor Quality Meat Scotland
Further Sector Recognition Awards will be presented during and after dinner.
Networking Drinks
The Wee Farm Distillery, Badvo Distillery, Summer House Drinks, Walter Gregor’s
After Dinner Cheese & Biscuits
Jim Smith, MC
After catching the comedy bug writing sketches for the Young Farmers panto and making his comedy debut, Jim Smith is one of Scotland’s fastest rising comedy stars. A working farmer in Perthshire, Jim’s unique insight into rural living coupled with his sharp observational humour, has allowed him to create hilarious shows from his day to day life.
With 2 sell out Fringe runs under his belt, when he’s not on the farm Jim is in demand as a performer all over Scotland. TV and radio credits include BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking The News, BBC Scotland’s Scot Squad and BBC Short Stuff ” The Farm Diaries.
Thank you to our Sponsors & Supporters