Claire Picken
I have returned to work with my family to assist in running both the farm and holiday accommodation business, located just outside St. Andrews. I have always had a passion for agriculture and hospitality, and my experience in both fields has been invaluable to our business. Since my return, I have been working tirelessly to improve our farm’s operations and enhance our guests’ experience.
I was lucky to receive the opportunity to be part of the under 35s programme run by Scottish Agritourism and made possible by Scottish Rural Network, alongside 26 amazing people from across Scotland. They are all passionate about agriculture and tourism and what they can and are bringing to these industries. There are a lot of changes and challenges coming our way, but it gives me confidence knowing we are all striving to change things for the better for our local communities and agriculture.
As part of the programme, we received two training days in Edinburgh focusing on personal and agritourism sector development. Plus, a further two days attending the SAT conference in Perth building on a variety of themes from succession, sustainability and getting the chance to meet so many inspirational people within the industry.
The Scottish agritourism conference was a truly inspiring event. It brought together industry experts, farmers, and tourism professionals from all over Scotland to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the agritourism industry. The speakers at the conference shared their experiences and insights on how to overcome the challenges facing the industry. They highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving the industry forward. The conference provided a platform for attendees to learn from each other and share their own experiences.
One of the key takeaways from the conference was the need to address the struggles that the industry faces. The speakers emphasized the importance of finding solutions to balance the demands of tourism with the need to maintain sustainable farming practices. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to network with people from all over Scotland and several from overseas. The event was a great way to meet new people, share ideas, and build relationships that will be invaluable in the future.
Overall, the Scottish agritourism conference was a fantastic event that highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in driving the industry forward. It was an inspiring and informative event that left attendees feeling energized and motivated to make a positive impact on the future of the industry.
I would encourage anyone considering agritourism to apply to be part of the under 35s programme. I’ve met a lot of interesting and engaging members of the agritourism industry and have learnt a lot to help support me in my agritourism journey