Diversification in farming in itself is nothing new, but doing it well and attracting discerning customers onto your land is a completely different matter. Time, especially spare time, is of extremely high value to modern consumers – so for a customer to choose a rural farm attraction over visiting an elegant stately home, embarking on a free forest walk or simply staying at home, means that landowners have to punch above their weight in a competitive market to get footfall down on the farm. But it can be done. Here we highlight the farms and land-owners who are diversifying with quality and flair.

Events

On August 20, 2016 (this weekend) Clune Farm on the banks of Loch Ness will be overrun by festival-goers attracted to the likes of Leftfield and Duke Dumont. In 2015 it hosted the first Groove Loch Ness Festival, headlining with Groove Armada and 2ManyDJs. The event was pretty much at capacity, attracting almost 5000 revellers, and this year Clune is expecting a similar footfall. Farmer Magnus Grant initially got involved in running festivals on his land back in 2006 when he was approached by experienced festival organisers to host what became known as the Rockness festival, but saying yes to hosting huge public events on your property is a momentous decision.

Magnus explains: “I decided to get involved as it sounded like a good diversification for the farm on the income side of things as we’re a small operation with about 30 cows and 160 sheep. Secondly, as festivals are an annual event it was one big push in the year, there’s a vast amount to do but it only takes a couple of weeks out of the farming calendar. Lastly, I’m lucky my farm is on the banks of Loch Ness with stunning views down to the water so in some ways it’s nice to be able to share this with the public.”

Whilst the organisational effort is huge, with tickets costing £55, camping an additional £20 and the shuttle buses running at £10 a person it’s worth the effort. Throw in a little Scottish sunshine and it could be the perfect weekend for music lovers.

www.groovefestival.co.uk

Day trips

The ‘family market’ can be a difficult nut to crack but if you do it well it can reap rewards. One farm that has successfully established its family credentials is Cairnie Fruit Farm in Fife. It went from growing berries, to introducing pick-your-own soft fruit, running a cafe and creating a ‘Fun-yard’ with go-karts, trampolines, hay bales and a six acre maize maze which makes it stand out from the crowd.

Farmer John Laird says: “We offer somewhere where kids can roam free, and parents can relax knowing their children are safe and entertained. When I grew up on the farm you headed out the door to explore at breakfast and you weren’t expected home till lunch time. I want to pass on some of that freedom and space to youngsters”. Cairnie Farm’s varied price points helps it succeed: a family ticket with access to the fun-yard costs £25, but a morning picking a punnet of strawberries and having a coffee comes in at under a tenner.

www.cairniefruitfarm.co.uk

Farm stays

Farm stays are becoming increasingly popular but whilst some farmers rent out a cottage on their land the crofters at Bluebell Croft in Strontian offer an all together more engaging experience. Alongside its five star accommodation (with hot tub) guests are welcome to meet the animals and assist crofters Chris and Chrissie Morgan collecting the eggs, picking berries or feeding the sheep.

The couple moved to Bluebell Croft in 2013 looking to create an ecofriendly tourist experience on the west coast of Scotland. “We wanted a green outlook," Chris explains, "Bluebell Croft has a wind turbine, solar panels, bio mass heating, a polytunnel and a small vegetable garden. We also wanted to offer our guests a personal experience so when they arrive we chat about local activities and give them freshly baked bread and scones, jam and a bottle of organic wine.”

The croft offers self-catering accommodation with views onto the Ardnamurchan penninsula across the Strontian glen, and whilst it’s possible to get mucky helping out on the croft, Chris insists it’s not compulsory!

www.bluebellcroft.co.uk

Glamping

Whilst it sounds relatively straightforward to set aside a piece of land for camping, some landowners are going the extra mile to offer a more luxurious experience. Glamping on Dundas Castle’s 500 acre estate just outside Edinburgh will be available from August 29, 2016. Working in conjunction with Glamphotel, owner of Dundas Castle, Sir Jack Stewart-Clark is raising the bar creating ‘canvas cottages’ on the waterfront: “Our plans are to locate ten new glamping units along the loch side over the next 12 months which will give those who rent them a lovely view over the water.”

Dundas is not competing on price, this is a luxury option starting at £189 per night for two with every home comfort available, from well equipped kitchenettes, to proper shower rooms with flushable toilets and a wood burning stove. Happy glamping.

www.dundascastle.co.uk

There’s definitely the sense that these farmers and crofters are incredibly busy and passionate people, and whilst working with the public is fraught with its own ups and downs, there’s the underlying theme that providing good service and creating memories for customers is highly satisfying for those involved. When a business starts turning a healthy profit and getting repeat custom then that’s the ultimate reward.