6 experiences and farm shops to enjoy in Scotland this autumn
Some of the best farm shops and places to visit in Scotland this autumn
Autumn is all about harvest, making it the perfect season to discover Scotland’s farm shops and embrace the best of the countryside.
Slow down, soak up the seasonal scenery and indulge in Scotland’s exceptional food and drink.
From picking pumpkins and meeting adorable farmyard friends to discovering crofting traditions and cooking with fresh, seasonal produce, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the flavours and charm of autumn.
Here are some cosy and delicious farm shops and experiences to add to your autumn itinerary.
Balgone Estate
Set along the East Lothian coast, the farmland looks out across the churning North Sea towards the distinctive peak of Berwick Law. In autumn, visitors can pick their own pumpkins in a wonderfully atmospheric setting, with a 10-acre patch home to 27 different varieties of pumpkins and squash. Follow the Haunted Trail around the estate’s small lake before warming up with toasted marshmallows at the Crooked Cauldron. With activities to suit all ages, Balgone Estate makes for a brilliant family day out, while food lovers are also well catered for. During pumpkin-picking season, pizza vans and street food trucks serve up seasonal treats, while the estate’s own Herd Café offers a true taste of the farm, with produce grown in the fields available to enjoy on site or take home.
© Balgone EstateGlenforsa
Inspired by the island’s exceptional produce, chefs India Radford and Max Kinder have created a refined yet welcoming café and farm shop on the Benmore Estate, overlooking Mull’s east coast. After an autumn walk, settle in for an Isle of Mull Rarebit, or share a West Coast Fish Plate featuring mackerel pâté and smoked salmon sourced just down the road. Then browse the farm shop for something special to take home, from local produce and preserves to thoughtful gifts and pantry-ready treats from across the island.
© Benmore EstateLong Island Retreats and Larder
Escape to the Hebrides and experience the authentic island life of South Uist with Long Island Retreats and Larder. Set in a spectacular spot near Loch Skipport, the family-run croft enjoys sweeping views towards Skye and, on a clear day, Harris. Run by sixth-generation crofters, the farm offers a genuine insight into island life, with experiences shaped by generations of knowledge of the land, wildlife, livestock, history and Gaelic language.
© Long Island RetreatsErnespie Farm
In this peaceful corner of the country, family-run Ernespie Farm offers plenty to see and do, from discovering more about dairy farming and exploring the garden centre to letting the kids burn off some energy in the indoor and outdoor play areas.
© Scottish AgritourismSolsgirth Home Farm
Solsgirth Home Farm has been part of the landscape for more than a century. At its heart sits a charming 18th-century farmhouse, surrounded by wildflower meadows, rich grassland and a thriving mix of native cattle and poultry. With a strong focus on conservation and healthy, locally produced food, the farm invites visitors to get closer to rural life through farm tours, hands-on experiences and monthly farmers’ markets, bringing together a community of like-minded local producers. Autumn brings its own special magic, as the team gathers apples from the orchard and presses them into fresh, delicious apple juice.
Solsgirth Home FarmBowhouse
Set on the Balcaskie Estate in Fife’s picturesque East Neuk, Bowhouse is surrounded by charming fishing villages and rolling farmland – a landscape rich in produce from both land and sea. The venue was created to bring people closer to the farmers, makers and natural ingredients that make the region so special. Every month, Bowhouse hosts market weekends celebrating the very best of Fife’s local producers. Browse the stalls, meet the makers and sample an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce from across the region.
© Bowhouse