Agritourism opportunities have been highlighted at a seminar delivered by rural land agents Bell Ingram. Held in conjunction with NFU Mutual, at the Highland Farm Café in Dingwall, the event gathered farmers, landowners and industry professionals to hear from a panel of speakers with strong links to the Scottish agriculture and land management sectors, before a lively Q&A session and a tour of the Highland Farm Café and holiday cottage business itself.

The event was chaired by Bell Ingram's senior associate Charlotte Gilfillan, who gave an insight into future trends and what engages tourists to come to rural areas post pandemic.

NFU Mutual’s Johnny Hogg covered the insurance implications of diversifying a farm business, while understanding and managing risk was the topic covered by Richie Hart from the NFU Risk Management Service.

The event was rounded off by a presentation by Highland Farm Café owner Kenneth Mckenzie who shared his first-hand experience of establishing a successful holiday cottage and eco café business.

Read more: 'Go Rural' and visit Scottish farms and crofts

Ms Gilfillan said: “Agritourism is a key growth opportunity for the Highlands, and we hope this seminar has both informed and inspired farmers and landowners to find out more about what is involved.

“I’d like to thank everyone who attended, our speakers and especially Kenneth Mckenzie for both his fascinating insight into running an agritourism business and his warm hospitality at the Highland Farm Café.”

To tie in with the theme of sustainability, guests were gifted with Oak and Aspen saplings to offset the carbon generated by travelling to Dingwall.

Charlotte added: “We gave away almost 50 trees in the end and if they were all planted our event will have been carbon negative."