Adventure awaits as you head out into the country around Elgin. Whether that adventure is the child-friendly sort or its the quiet, mindful kind you’re after, make sure to check out the farms open to visitors in the area!
8 miles: Brodieshill Farm, Forres
Brodieshill Farm run child-led activity sessions for little ones just 8 miles from Elgin.
Embracing the elements is essential as your children enjoy outdoor play with resources upcycled from the farm and have the opportunity to meet some animals - many of which they can assist with feeding, bedding and petting too.
9 miles: Byres Farm, Fochabers
Byres Farm, a working family farm just 9 miles from Elgin, offers visitors an immersive day out at their unique farm park on the banks of the River Spey.
As well as animal-feeding on Saturdays and Sundays (10am - 4pm), the Smiths of Byres Farm, offer a variety of excellent farm tours and experiences that are suited to different age groups - such as malting barley whisky tours, tractor driving experiences and weekly interactive kids sessions. Story Barn is also run each week for little ones aged 0-3, with farm and country stories at the heart of this relaxed group, held undercover in the cart shed of the farm.
10 miles: Gordon Castle's Walled Garden & Cafe, Fochabers
Angus and Zara Gordon Lennox took over the running of Gordon Castle Estate in 2008 and, as part of their redevelopment of the estate, have since opened the Walled Garden visitor attraction and a café serving delicious fresh food from the garden and local suppliers.
With a wonderful natural play area and seasonal garden trails, there is plenty for children to see and enjoy as well.
Visit Gordon Castle's Walled Garden & Cafe
20 miles: Logie Farm & Garden Shop, Forres
As well as selling a range of garden tools and must-haves, plants grown and propagated from the Logie House Garden and an ever-growing range of treats and foodie gifts, the Logie Farm & Garden Shop also stock the estate's own award-winning Longhorn beef and wild venison from the estate.
A part of the wider estate, Logie Steading also houses an enthusiastic group of individual businesses including the new The Cafe at Logie Steading, artisan makers and retailers.
Visit Logie Farm & Garden Shop
35 miles: Corrimony Farm, Glenurqhart
You may just have seen these familiar faces on the BBC's, “This Farming Life”! An upland farm, Corrimony is home to the Girvan family and their 140 Stabiliser breeding cows and 900 Lleyn Sheep. You’ll find truly Highland Pumpkins at their Loch Ness Pumpkin Patch. Opening dates for 2022 pumpkin picking will be from 8-22 October this year. Look out for further ticket sales information – it’s the hottest ticket in town! You can also enjoy their sustainably grown cut flower on- line Wild Acre shop.
52 miles: Deeside Activity Park
This is a real hidden treasure for the outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can make their way to Deeside Activity Park for a number of outdoor activities, such as Karting, Quad Biking, Fly Fishing and Archery. There's much more to choose from and you can build up your own activity package to while away a whole day if you like. To keep you going, there's a farm restaurant and shop on site and if one day is not enough (it's probably not, to be fair) there is cottage accommodation too!
52 miles: Down on the Farm, Rosehearty
At Down on the Farm, near Fraserburgh, the Short family offer a range of unique rural experiences from farm tours to cream teas and quirky places to stay.
Stonebriggs is a busy working farm offering trailer-tours that take in the farm, the unspoilt coastline, an opportunity to meet the animals and learn about sheep and cattle farming in North East Scotland. There are three different tours and all end with a drink and home baking in the farm bothy
Teas an Seas is a unique, boat-shaped cabin open to farm visitors and glamping guests alike, for hot drinks, cold drinks and home bakes.
Down on the Farm also has glamping accommodation and lots to see and do in the local area.
52 miles: Udny Pumpkins, Aberdeenshire
Visitors to Udny Pumpkins can join in to three pumpkin related events throughout the year, the main one being pumpkin picking in October You can pick your Halloween pumpkin, visit friendly animals, take part in a colouring competition, play on hay bales, spend time with baby chicks... and lots more!
In April, Udny holds children's pumpkin planting sessions where the little ones can plant a pumpkin to grow at home, visit the animals and even meet a baby chick!
And during July/August 2022, you can meet the bees that pollinate the pumpkin patch! An exciting opportunity to put on a bee suit, see the world inside a hive and learn about pollination from one of Scotland's leading bee experts. This event is run in conjunction with Udny Provender. Tickets will go on sale in June.