A map showcasing Scotland’s best farms and crofts to visit to buy food and drink, to spend the day or to stay on holiday has been launched by sector body Scottish Agritourism, to celebrate Scottish

Celebrating Scottish Agritourism Month, the Go Rural map will make it easy for both locals and visitors to find working farms and crofts to experience. A total of 217 farms are featured in this year’s guide, an increase from 135 in 2022 and more than 10,000 copies are being distributed throughout Scotland in Visit Scotland information centres and available from agritourism businesses throughout Scotland.

Agritourism is increasing in popularity as consumers seek the experiences that visiting a farm can provide. Caroline Millar, Scottish Agritourism Sector Lead, also co-chair of Scotland’s Agritourism Strategy Implementation Board, said: “We are delighted to launch our 2023 map as we celebrate Scotland’s first ever national agritourism month in May.

"Scotland’s farms and crofts welcome over 1.5m visitors every year through agritourism and there is a target to increase this to 2m per year by 2030 in line with the national strategy. This map will help people visit multiple destinations across Scotland and drive-up tourism spend in rural Scotland.”

Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison, was presented with a copy of the new map at the Scottish Parliament by Caroline Millar, along with Scottish Agritourism board member and agritourism business owner, Kay Wilson, from Lennox of Lomond and Laura Paterson, Scottish Agritourism’s marketing and communications manager.

Ms Robison, said: “Agritourism has a long-term sustainable future in Scotland that delivers a high-quality, authentic visitor experience and also helps support the future of family farms and the wider rural economy. The launch of this map is a golden opportunity to showcase our iconic landscape, food and drink as well as bring together urban and rural communities.

“I would urge everyone to use the map to take advantage of what the sector has to offer – we might not be able to guarantee the weather but we can promise a warm welcome and memorable experience.”

The sector body, Scottish Agritourism, was established in June, 2020, to formally bring together a strong network of farmers and crofters and suppliers to the sector, to offer peer to peer business support, consumer marketing and representation.

A digital version of the map and guide to Scotland’s agritourism sector is also featured on www.goruralscotland.com