SME News | Scottish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 46 Most Unique Agriculture Experience 2023 Kilmacolm Farm Tours is where busy farming life crosses paths with exciting exploration and adventure for visitors. The business was established last year, in April 2022, and takes place at a family run 3rd generation beef and sheep farm in Inverclyde. It is close to both the Greenock Ocean cruise Terminal, and Glasgow airport, making it easily accessible for a wide number of guests who might be passing through, or indeed staying for longer in historic Inverclyde. Despite its fresh as a daisy existence as a fully functioning business, Kilmacolm Farm Tours has already been awarded a 4-star grading direct from Visit Scotland. The tours are conducted at Muirhouse, which is a working farm run by husband-and-wife team James and Wendy MacDougall, along with their two children Ailie and Kyle. From April onwards, the farm offers Lambing Experiences and Farm Trailer Tours. All visitors have direct contact with the farmers, and benefit from knowledgeable insights regarding the animals, crops, environment, and farm machinery used on a daily basis. Visitors are welcome to bask in the fresh air, and enjoy the panoramic views over the Renfrewshire Heights. There will also be ample opportunities for asking questions and taking photographs whilst on the farm safari. Interestingly, parts of Muirhouse sit within a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protected Area (SPA). The farming family is also very proud to share with guests its journey to become a carbon neutral farm, including all the pros and cons this has brought to everyday work. It is an ongoing and important task to try to balance food production with environmentally friendly protocols. The experiences on offer at Kilmacolm Farm Tours are suitable for anyone aged 5 or over, and judging from the amazing feedback are enjoyed by everyone from young couples to families to professionals. For instance, Brian comments, “I found Kilmacolm Farm via a Google Search of fun activities we could do while our cruise ship was docked in Glasgow (Greenock) for the day. This farm tour was one of my family’s favourite activities of our entire trip.” Carly thinks it was an animal lover’s dream, commenting, “Second year in a row that I have been to the lambing experience and I will definitely be back again next year!” James and Wendy are also volunteer hosts for the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET). This means that many groups of school children are allowed to visit free of charge, enabling Muirhouse Farm to bring to life the ‘farm to fork’ topics they’re learning about. The farmers are keen to interact with young people, and anyone else who is interested in the farming life. They are active on social media, and can be contacted at ‘Facebook - Kilmacolm Farm Tours’, ‘Instagram – kilmacolmfarmtours’, and through Twitter (X) at ‘@KilmacolmT’. Kilmacolm Farm Tours’ business goals are currently centred around trying to increase international visitors, and further explore the travel trade market. Of course, it wants to provide a sustainable farming business to pass on to the next generation, to remain carbon neutral, and hopefully to also collaborate with other local businesses to offer combined half day/full day packages. In terms of staying ahead of the pack, Kilmacolm Farm Tours is a founding member of the Scottish Agritourism group, benefiting from the ‘Go Rural’ brand marketing, and sharing peer-to-peer knowledge and support. It is also excited to see that a key development has taken place nearby, with a second multi-million-pound cruise liner terminal opening in Greenock, Inverclyde, bringing over 150,000 passengers to the local area in 2023. Kilmacolm Farm Tours is delighted to be able to welcome guests who are keen to know where their food is produced, and might be looking for an outdoor activity that chimes with their healthy lifestyle and positive mental health choices. It has easy access (1 hrs drive) to several towns and cities, and yet is still able to boast stunning countryside landscapes and rural scenery. Kilmacolm Farm Tours has been awarded the title Most Unique Agriculture Experience 2023 in the Scottish Enterprise Awards. Well done to it, and its terrific cultural diversification of visitor attractions in Scotland. Company: Kilmacolm Farm Tours Web Address: www.kilmacolmfarmtours.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==