Errichel Farm Tour

Bring your appetite for animals. Errichel Farm gives you a close look at working farm life near Aberfeldy, with chances to feed sheep, ducks, chickens, and other residents. I like the small maximum group of eight, which keeps the hour personal, and I like that the tour explains ethical farming rather than treating the animals as a simple photo stop. The main drawback is the short duration: one hour passes quickly, especially if children want time with every animal.

This is a particularly good choice for families with young children, but adults will find plenty to enjoy too. Guide Becky is praised for her warm, relaxed way with children and her clear explanation of sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production. Plan for Scottish weather, since the experience can be canceled if conditions are poor.

Key points to know before you go

• Feed a real mix of farm animals: Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds may be part of your hour.
• Small groups make a difference: With no more than eight people, the visit feels personal rather than like a crowd being moved from pen to pen.
• Becky adds the human touch: Her relaxed, friendly approach works well for children, while her farming knowledge gives adults something to think about.
• The tour begins at 10:00 am: Meet at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, and return there when the tour ends.
• Pair it with food: Thyme Bistro and the deli are on site, making brunch, coffee, cake, or a meal a natural follow-up.
• The price is reasonable for a hands-on hour: At $19.20 per person, the value is strongest when you take advantage of the personal guiding and animal feeding.

Arriving at Errichel Farm near Aberfeldy

The meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. The farm is described as easy to find off the main road, which matters when you are trying to arrive on time with children, coats, and perhaps a hungry family in tow.

The tour starts at 10:00 am, so give yourself enough time to park, find the deli, and gather your group. The activity ends back at the same meeting point after roughly one hour. That makes the morning easy to plan around: you can follow it with brunch at Thyme Bistro, coffee and cake, or a look around the deli and grounds.

The setting is part of the appeal. Errichel is not just a fenced animal attraction with a quick photo opportunity. It is a working farm with food businesses on site, so the animals, farming practices, and food on your plate connect in a useful way.

A one-hour tour with plenty to see

The route focuses on the farm itself. You will meet and feed animals rather than simply stand at a distance while someone names them. The exact order may vary, but the collection includes Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, and ducks. The farm also has geese, lambs, horses, peacocks, and other birds.

That variety gives the hour a good rhythm. Children can move from the excitement of pigs to the gentler pace of sheep, then stop for birds that are easier to feed by hand. Adults get a wider picture of how a mixed farm functions.

The pigs are a highlight. One account describes watching them being fed, which gives you a chance to see their size and character up close. Large Black pigs are not the standard small pink cartoon version many children imagine, and their presence helps explain the difference between farm animals as living creatures and farm animals as food.

The birds provide another hands-on moment. Feeding chickens, ducks, and geese gives younger children an immediate way to take part, though you should expect some pecking and enthusiastic competition around the food. That is part of the fun, but it is also a reminder to follow the guide’s instructions closely.

Meeting the animals, not just looking at them

The strongest part of the experience is the contact with the animals. You may feed birds and sheep, watch the pigs at feeding time, and meet other animals at close range. One especially memorable part described by a family was meeting a lamb, with one person given the chance to bottle-feed it.

That kind of moment cannot be guaranteed, since young animals and farm routines change. Still, it shows why the tour is more engaging than a basic walk around a farm. The experience allows room for real interaction, while the guide keeps the visit controlled and informative.

Children often need something to do, not just something to see. Errichel understands that. Feeding animals gives them a simple task, and the short one-hour format should suit young attention spans better than a long formal tour.

Parents should still expect a working farm, not a polished indoor attraction. Animals can be noisy, muddy, unpredictable, or uninterested in performing on schedule. That is a fair trade for a more genuine visit, but it is worth preparing children for the fact that a pony may not want to pose and a duck may try to steal the show.

Becky’s warm, practical guiding style

Guide Becky receives especially strong praise for making the tour both easygoing and informative. Her manner with children is described as relaxed and encouraging, which helps younger participants feel involved instead of hurried along.

Her role also adds meaning for adults. She explains how a working farm operates, along with the ideas behind sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production. That makes the visit more than a list of animal names. You get some insight into the decisions involved in caring for livestock and producing food.

I particularly like this balance. Many farm visits focus only on cuteness, while others become a lecture. Errichel appears to land somewhere in the middle: children get feeding time and animal contact, while adults can listen to the wider story of farming, animal welfare, and quality.

The guide’s enthusiasm also matters in a small group. With a limit of eight people, you should have more opportunity to hear explanations and ask questions than you would in a large coach group. It is a simple feature, but it changes the tone of the morning.

Why the small group matters

A maximum of eight people is one of the best practical features here. A small group means the guide can pay attention to children who are nervous around animals, answer questions, and help people take part safely.

It also prevents the farm from feeling crowded. When a group gathers around a pen, everyone has a better chance of seeing what is happening. That matters most with children, who can easily lose interest if they are stuck behind adults.

The small size also suits adults who want to learn. You can listen to the explanation of ethical farming without the noise and movement of a large party. If the full group reaches eight, it is still intimate enough to feel personal, but you should not expect a private tour.

Ethical farming gives the visit more weight

Errichel includes information about its ethical practices as part of the tour. The focus on sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production gives you a chance to consider how animals are raised and how a farm makes its choices.

This is valuable because the farm is connected to a deli and bistro. After seeing the animals, you can eat food prepared in the same wider setting. That does not turn the tour into a sales pitch. Instead, it helps connect the farm work with the food people buy and eat.

I would not book this expecting a full technical course in agriculture. The advertised duration is about an hour, and the focus remains on meeting the animals. But for a short family activity, the farming context adds substance without taking away the fun.

The bistro makes a useful second stop

The tour finishes where it began, at Thyme Delicatessen, so you can easily continue with food. The bistro is called Thyme Bistro, and the farm visit can be followed by brunch, lunch, coffee, or cake.

Several accounts describe the food positively, with particular mention of brunch and coffee with cake. One account found the meal decent rather than exceptional, so I would keep expectations sensible. The strongest reason to eat here is convenience and atmosphere: you have just toured the farm, and the meal gives you time to sit down and continue the morning.

The deli and grounds are also worth allowing time for if your schedule permits. You can browse the food selection and wander around the maintained grounds after the tour. The experience itself lasts about an hour, but Errichel can easily fill more of your morning.

Because the food is not included in the $19.20 tour price, budget for it separately. That is not a problem, but families should know the final cost will rise if everyone stays for brunch.

Is $19.20 good value?

At $19.20 per person, the tour is fairly priced for a one-hour guided farm visit with admission included and animal feeding built into the experience. You are paying for direct access, a small group, and a guide who adds context, not simply entry to look at animals from a path.

The value is strongest for families. A child who can feed sheep or birds, see pigs being fed, and perhaps meet a lamb is getting a clear, memorable activity for the price. Adults also benefit from the farming explanation, especially if you are interested in food production and animal welfare.

The value is less certain if you only want a quick look around the farm. Since the tour lasts about an hour, people seeking a full day of activities may find it too brief on its own. Pairing it with the bistro, deli, and grounds makes the outing feel more complete.

The tour is often booked about 38 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your Scotland schedule is fixed. That is especially true for school holidays or a particular morning during a busy trip.

Who will enjoy Errichel most?

I would put families with young children at the top of the list. The feeding activities, compact duration, and friendly guide make the tour manageable for children who are curious but may not cope with a long historical visit.

It also works well for mixed-age groups. Adults can learn about the farm, older children can ask questions and compare the different breeds, and younger children can focus on the animals. One account even described the experience as just as interesting for adults as for children.

You should also consider it if you are spending time in the Tay Valley or around Aberfeldy and want something different from a standard sightseeing stop. Errichel offers a local, food-centered experience that connects the farm with the bistro and deli.

It may not suit someone seeking a long, formal agricultural tour, a completely indoor activity, or a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal. The farm is weather-dependent, and conditions can shape the visit.

Weather, comfort, and practical planning

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Scotland can change quickly, so bring suitable outdoor clothing even if the forecast looks kind.

The tour is offered in English. Mobile tickets are available, and confirmation is sent at the time of booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

The tour returns to its starting point, which keeps the logistics simple. Toilets and baby-changing facilities at the site have been praised as very good, an important detail for families bringing a baby or toddler.

You do not need to plan complicated transport between stops. The farm, deli, bistro, and grounds are all part of the same visit. The main practical point is to arrive at the meeting point before 10:00 am and allow extra time if you want food afterward.

Cancellation and booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

The cut-off uses local time. Since the tour depends on good weather, a cancellation made by the provider because of poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

If you know you will be in Aberfeldy on a particular day, I would book ahead. The average advance booking period is 38 days, which suggests that leaving it until the last minute may not work, especially when you need a specific date.

Should you book the Errichel Farm Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, hands-on farm morning near Aberfeldy. The combination of animal feeding, a small group, Becky’s warm guidance, and practical discussion of ethical farming gives the hour real value.

Families with young children should find it especially rewarding, while adults who care about food and animal welfare will appreciate the wider context. Add brunch or coffee and cake at Thyme Bistro, then allow time for the deli and grounds.

Skip it if you want a full-day attraction, guaranteed access to a particular animal, or a fully weatherproof activity. Otherwise, $19.20 buys a personal experience that feels connected to the place, not bolted onto it.

FAQ

Where is the Errichel Farm Tour held?

The tour takes place at Errichel Farm near Aberfeldy, Scotland. The meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long does the farm tour last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the meeting point at Thyme Delicatessen.

What animals can you meet?

The farm tour includes Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, and ducks. The farm also has geese, lambs, horses, peacocks, and other birds.

Can you feed the animals?

Yes. The tour includes opportunities to meet and feed farm animals, including birds and sheep.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed on the tour.

Can you cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.