Keira Thomson, Cocksburn Farm and Mungowalls Farm

I am a driven young individual with a strong interest in sustainable agriculture, livestock production and rural business development.

With hands on experience from a young age in farming, I have grown an interest in what is the future for farming, and I believe agritourism is a big part of this. I am especially interested and engaging farm experiences that connect people with food, farming and the countryside.

The Agritourism Futures programme was an incredibly valuable learning experience from start to finish. Hearing the stories behind so many agritourism businesses — and the journeys that led people to where they are today — was both inspiring and motivating. It was fascinating to learn how different entrepreneurs got their start, the challenges they faced, and the resilience it took to build something successful.

One session that stood out to me was the discussion around succession planning. I found it particularly interesting to explore how families can approach transitions thoughtfully and what steps they can take to make the process smoother for everyone involved. It offered practical insights that I hadn’t considered before and really highlighted the importance of planning for the future.

Our visit to the Free Company was another highlight. The meal was fantastic, but what impressed me most was their story. Learning how they took over a struggling farm and transformed it into a thriving agritourism business was truly inspiring. It showed just how much creativity, vision, and determination can completely reshape a business.

The talk from Stephen Buchan, Virgin Money, was equally insightful, especially the guidance on what lenders look for when assessing agritourism ventures. Understanding what makes a banker more confident in approving a loan gave me a much clearer picture of the financial side of running a business.

Spending time at Parliament was also a memorable experience. Hearing the perspectives of different political parties and seeing how policy connects with agriculture and rural enterprise was eye-opening and gave me a broader understanding of the landscape these businesses operate in.

Attending the Scottish Agritourism conference as a whole really opened my eyes to the journeys so many people have taken — not just their successes, but also the struggles and setbacks they’ve overcome along the way. The dinner was lovely, and Jim Smith’s entertainment added such a fun and relaxed atmosphere to the evening.

Overall, the experience has given me a new outlook on what’s possible for my own future. It’s sparked ideas and ambitions that I hope to pursue one day. I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of the programme and to have met so many inspiring and supportive people along the way. It’s an experience I’ll carry with me for a long time.