Discover what daily life is like on a traditional Scottish family farm
Outline/background
If you are looking for a day out with a difference, in a beautiful location on the shores of Loch Lomond, and would like an insight into organic farming and farm diversification, then arrange a visit. Portnellan has been home to the Scott-Park family since 1952 and over the last 70 years much has changed. Portnellan used to be a dairy farm, but we now raise organic beef cattle off pasture, as a ‘closed herd’. The farm pays a lot of attention to the health and welfare of the cows, and the health of our soil, and we have lovely green fields and woodlands with a lot of space for nature.
What to expect: Farm Tour: approx. 60 minutes, with tea, coffee, home baking and Tunnocks Tea Cakes afterwards in our new Tea Shed, which has a lovely view.
To help you plan your day, you should allow approximately 2 hours on the farm.
On arrival, guests will be given a warm welcome by a member of the family and introduced the farm. Farmer David usually does the farm tour. Farmer Chris may get involved too but is often busy taking speedboat tours out on the loch. You will walk around the farm with David where you’ll learn about organic farming, farm diversification, have the chance to see the cows, and take panoramic photos of Loch Lomond and its mountains.
When you arrive or before you depart (you chose), you will be invited to take a cup of tea/coffee and home baking with the family. In 2023, we put up a Tea Shed, so we can offer guests tea under cover: protection from the rain and increasingly from the sun too. This is a chance to ask questions about Portnellan or farming in Scotland, and farming for Natural Capital or Net Zero while increasing biodiversity and producing quality food.
Stout footwear is necessary: walking boots, rough terrain trainers, or wellies. Unless it’s completely dry underfoot, there will be mud and the grass may be wet. Please note that Portnellan is quite steep in places; please let us know if any in your party are less abled? We want everyone to feel they have had a lovely time within their abilities.
Farm tours are offered all year round on weekdays, and Sundays. Saturdays are rarely possible, because it’s the busiest day for everyone on the farm, but if this is your only option, then please get in touch to see if anything is possible.

