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Article published 06/08/2026

Growing Scotland's agritourism sector

Scotland's fast-growing reputation as a leader in agritourism was evidenced in the publication of the Scottish Agritourism Growth tracker earlier this year, which revealed that Scotland's agritourism sector was worth almost £300 million to the economy, with businesses welcoming over 2.5 million visitors.

VisitScotland is committed to help increase sector growth by co-delivering Scotland's Agritourism Growth Strategy. We provide targeted marketing and training and track economic impact through annual research like the Agritourism Growth Tracker.

This support helps rural farms diversify, reach international travel trade markets, and promote sustainable tourism. By supporting the sector, we help strengthen Scotland's international profile.

Agritourism helps address important societal issues, such as inclusivity, rural employment, and depopulation. Its sustainable development offers huge potential for both the agriculture and tourism sectors by creating jobs, helping communities thrive and contributing to the wider visitor economy.

Find out more about Scotland's Agritourism Strategy

Nestled beneath the Gargunnock Hills, 7 miles west of Stirling, Old Leckie farm is a small family run farm ensuring the sustainability of the farm animals and environment. © Go Rural/Craig Stephen

Global Agritourism Conference

VisitScotland was recently involved in the Global Agritourism Conference 2026. Held at P&J Live, Aberdeen, it welcomed around 550 delegates from over 50 countries.

We played a key role within the conference, providing expert event advice, alongside PR, communications, and social media activity, as well as photography, and videography.

We helped create opportunities for businesses to connect, collaborate and learn from global industry leaders.

Our involvement reflected the ambitions set out in Scotland's Agritourism Growth Strategy, which aims to establish Scotland as a world-leading agritourism destination.

Delegates also heard from agritourism leaders from different countries who shared insights into their agritourism landscape, strategy, infrastructure,  and the policy that supports them.

(L-R): Tara Hubbard, Wonderfield Farm, Florida; Elizabeth Halpenny, University of Alberta; Kara Rutter, Clemson University South Carolina; Christelle Van Zyl, University of Cape Town, and Linda McAllister, VisitScotland's Senior Tourism Sector Engagement Manager.

Helping on the ground

Linda McAllister, our Senior Tourism Sector Engagement Manager, ran a delegate session at the conference on marketing and market research.

We're working closely with the National Agritourism Strategy Board to support delivery of the Agritourism Strategy and its 2030 targets, while helping coordinate strategic support across the sector.

Following the publication of the Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker earlier this year, Linda also appeared on the Farming Advisory Service's Rural Roundup podcast, to talk about the strength, value, and growth of the agritourism sector in Scotland.

Check out the Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker.

Listen to Linda on the Rural Roundup podcast

Linda is pictured with VisitScotland colleagues Donna Smith, Jenny McMahon, and Rona Wallace.

"What I enjoy most about the sector is its strong sense of community.

"From my childhood visits to farms in Lanarkshire to now sharing farm experiences with my own children, I’ve seen first-hand how agritourism connects people with rural Scotland.

"From award-winning farm stays to food and drink and immersive working farm experiences, agritourism is not just contributing economically, it is shaping how visitors experience Scotland.

"Our farms are where people connect with the land, with produce, and with the people behind it.

"As a fast-growing sector, it is helping to sustain farming businesses, generating almost £300 million in visitor spend and attracting 2.5 million visitors.

"We’re proud of that progress and excited about what comes next."

Linda McAllister, Senior Tourism Sector Engagement Manager

How we can help you

Through our free-to-access Business Support Programme, we’re helping farms, crofts, and accommodation providers get market-ready, discoverable, and bookable. This helps our agritourism businesses reach new and potential visitors across different countries.

Find more business support on our dedicated hub.

We are also key partner in delivering the Scottish Agritourism 2030 Strategy, which aims to grow rural economies, protect family farms for future generations, and promote Scotland as a leading agritourism destination.

Find out more about the Scottish Agritourism 2030 Strategy.

We are using our data and insight to help shape future strategies, ensuring agritourism aligns with wider ambitions for Scotland to be an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable destination.

Kim Walton

Contact for media enquiries about tourism, events, and VisitScotland.

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