Loading...

Portnellan Farm Tours

Discover life on a traditional Scottish family farm

If you are looking for a truly unique and authentic experience then a ‘behind the scenes’ look into life on Portnellan is for you. The farm has been home to our family since 1952 and a lot has changed over the last 70 years. From our origins as a traditional mixed farm to dairy farming to becoming organic and focusing more on sustainability, this is our story. The farm tour allows us to share our passion for farming and the beautiful landscape we are lucky enough to call home.

What to expect

On arrival, guests will be given a warm welcome by a member of the family and introduced the farm.  Usually David leads the farm tour; having lived on Portnellan all his life he knows the place better than anyone. After the introduction you will set of for a walk with David and learn about the history of our farm, sustainability and organic farming and how we have had to diversify. You will of course have the chance to see the cows and take plenty of panoramic photos of our iconic loch and mountains.

After the tour you will be invited to take a cup of tea or coffee and home baking with the family.  In 2023, we put up what we call ‘The Tea Shed’, so we can offer guests refreshments under cover: protection from the rain and increasingly from the sun too.  This is your chance to ask any questions about Portnellan, farming in Scotland or just enjoy the view! If you would like to take any of our home grown beef away with you just let us know and we can show you what we have.

The Farm Tour will last approximately 60 minutes, while a good chat over tea and home baking takes at least another 30 minutes. We suggest allowing a 2 hours on the farm for the whole experience.

Important information

Bookings must be made in advance so we know to expect you.

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.

Perfect for smaller groups or families, a tour of Portnellan allows you to chat directly with David and really understand what life is like on a working farm.  Chose how much time you want to spend with the cows and calves, or just looking at the view, discussing the biodiversity and talking about the farm diversification.

Prices

Small Group/Family Tours (12 people or under)

  • £36 per adult
  • £15 per child (5-14 years)
  • Minimum charge £100

We also host larger groups and offer tours tailored to suit varying interests and levels of expertise.  We have hosted several large groups, including farmers from Germany and the Netherlands and French cookery school students looking to learn about Scotch beef production.  Tours generally last between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the tour itinerary and will include an introduction to the farm including its history, what organic farming means, and its role in sustainable food production, grassland management and diversification.  The tour will conclude with refreshments in the Tea Shed with plenty of time allowed for questions and discussion at the end.  We can cater for groups of up to 50 people and a 52 seater coach can access the farm and get turned.

Prices

Large group tours

  • £21 pp inc. VAT
  • Minimum charge £273 inc. VAT
  • No charge for driver/guide(s)

For a unique experience, we can arrange for a speedboat tour from the pier before or after the farm visit for a truly memorable way to experience Loch Lomond.  The speedboat tour includes highlights of the loch such as the islands that make up the Highland Boundary Fault Line and the famous Loch Lomond Golf Course.  If you extend your tour beyond one hour, you have the option to visit Inchcailloch, an island that forms part of the National Nature Reserve with beautiful walks up to a graveyard, or Inchmurrin – an island where you can enjoy the very best of Scottish food and drink in the island’s pub.

Prices

Depends on the length of the speedboat tour; from £130/hour

To book, or for further information get in touch

BOOK NOW
BOOK NOW
Portnellan Organic Farm Tour Scotland
Portnellan Organic Farm Tour Scotland