Errichel Farm Tour

At Errichel Farm, the animals are the main event. In one gentle, hands-on hour, you can meet Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, and even peacocks. Guide Becky keeps the visit relaxed, useful, and fun for children.

I like the small group of no more than eight because you get room to ask questions and interact with the animals. I also like the clear link between animal welfare, sustainable farming, and the food served at Errichel’s Thyme Bistro and deli.

The main drawback is the weather. This is an outdoor farm visit, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or a date change. Bring sensible clothing, and remember that the tour lasts about an hour, so it is a focused farm visit rather than a long day out.

Key points to know before you book

• Feed a wide mix of farm animals: Meet Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds.
• Small-group setting: The maximum group size is eight, which makes the animal encounters more personal.
• A strong family choice: Young children can take part in feeding, while adults get a useful look at how a working farm operates.
• Becky leads the visit: Her easygoing style suits children, and her explanations cover ethical farming and high-welfare meat production.
• Pair it with food: The tour begins at Thyme Delicatessen and ends at the same point, with the Thyme Bistro nearby for brunch, coffee, cake, or lunch.
• Plan around the weather: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start, and poor weather may result in a new date or refund.

Meeting the animals at Errichel Farm

The tour starts at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. The meeting time is 10:00 a.m., and the activity returns to this same point after about one hour.

That simple arrangement works well. You do not need to figure out a separate farm entrance or arrange transport between stops. The farm, deli, and bistro are part of the same visit, so you can turn a short tour into an easy morning in Perthshire.

The animal list is unusually broad for a one-hour visit. You are not limited to one petting area or a single type of livestock. The route includes Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, and many ducks. The wider farm setting also includes geese, peacocks, horses, lambs, and other birds.

The exact order can vary, but the appeal is clear: you move from one group of animals to another, with chances to feed some of them under the guide’s direction. The pigs are a particular highlight. Watching them being fed gives you a better sense of the animals as working-farm residents rather than decorative attractions.

For children, the variety keeps the hour moving. One moment they may be watching a pig, then feeding a chicken or sheep, then looking toward the ponies. For adults, the visit has more substance than a basic animal encounter because the guide explains how a real farm functions.

Why Becky makes the difference

Becky, one of the farm’s co-owners, leads the tour. Her role is important because the visit depends less on a formal script and more on her ability to connect the animals with the work behind them.

She is especially good with children, keeping the tour relaxed and hands-on. That matters with younger children, who may lose interest during a long talk but stay involved when they can feed an animal or stand close to a lamb.

Adults are not left out. Becky discusses sustainable farming, animal care, and high-welfare meat production. You get a look at the choices involved in running a working farm, rather than a polished story that hides the practical side of agriculture.

That balance is one of Errichel’s strengths. You can enjoy the friendly animals while also thinking about where food comes from and how livestock should be treated. The subject is handled in an accessible way, so you do not need any farming background to follow along.

The small maximum of eight helps here. A large group can turn feeding time into a queue, especially when children are eager to take part. With eight people or fewer, the guide can give attention to different ages and answer questions without rushing every interaction.

A one-hour itinerary with plenty to do

The entire visit takes about an hour, and the admission ticket is included in the listed price of $19.20 per person.

That is a useful length for families with young children. You get enough time to see several kinds of animals without committing to a half-day activity. It also fits neatly into a morning schedule, especially if you plan brunch afterward.

The tour is not designed as a long walk across the whole farm. Think of it as a close introduction to Errichel’s animals and farming approach. The pace allows you to stop, watch, and feed rather than simply pass the pens.

A typical visit includes direct contact with the farm’s birds and livestock. You may feed chickens and sheep, watch the pigs at feeding time, and meet other animals as you move around the property. One particularly memorable possibility is meeting a lamb, with bottle-feeding sometimes forming part of the experience when circumstances allow. That kind of moment can be very special for a child, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure.

The farm’s animals are described as well kept, and the tour presents them as part of a working operation. That gives the experience more meaning than a simple photo stop. You see animals in the setting where they are raised, and you hear why their care matters.

What the ethical farming talk adds

The farm visit is not only about feeding animals. Errichel’s approach includes sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production, and Becky explains the effort involved in keeping a working farm running.

This is valuable if you want your rural visit to teach something. You learn that ethical food production involves daily decisions, careful animal care, and attention to quality. The talk also helps connect the farm to the deli and restaurant, where local produce becomes part of the meal.

I appreciate that the subject does not appear to be separated from the fun. Children can enjoy the ducks and ponies, while adults can consider the larger questions about farming. You get entertainment and a bit of education without having to choose between them.

The farm setting also gives children a more honest view of food. They see that a farm is not just a place for cuddly animals. It is a working business with responsibilities, routines, and animals that need proper care. That is a useful lesson, presented in a friendly way.

Add brunch, coffee, or cake at Thyme

The tour begins at Thyme Delicatessen and ends there, making food an easy follow-up. Several people have paired the farm visit with brunch or lunch at Thyme Bistro, while coffee and cake are also mentioned as pleasant ways to finish the morning.

This combination gives Errichel good value as a half-day stop. The farm tour itself lasts only an hour, so adding food prevents the outing from feeling too brief. You can also browse the deli and spend time in the well-maintained grounds after the tour.

The bistro is not included in the $19.20 tour price, so treat it as an optional extra. That is useful flexibility. Families can finish with a quick drink and cake, while adults celebrating a special occasion might plan a longer meal or a cheese and wine tasting if available as a separate activity.

The setting helps make the stop feel complete. You are not simply dropped back at a car park after feeding animals. You return to a place with food and other farm-related products, giving you time to continue the visit at your own pace.

For families, the practical details are reassuring. One account specifically praised the toilets and baby-changing facilities, which can matter as much as the animals when you are out with a one-year-old. These facilities are on site, making the morning easier to manage.

Best for families, but not only for children

Errichel is an obvious choice for families with young children. Feeding animals gives children a reason to stay engaged, and the one-hour length is manageable for short attention spans.

The tour also suits mixed-age groups. Older children can ask more questions about farming, while adults can focus on sustainability, livestock care, and the food connection. The small group means you do not have to feel that every minute is designed only for the youngest person in your party.

I would also recommend it to adults who enjoy food, farming, or rural life. The visit explains how the farm works and why high-welfare production takes care and effort. It offers a more grounded experience than simply stopping for a meal.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a long, self-guided farm walk or a full-day attraction. The advertised duration is about one hour, and the main focus is meeting and feeding animals with a guide. You should book it for the personal contact and explanations, not for a large visitor center or an extensive program of activities.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The supplied information does not give detailed terrain or mobility guidance, so if you have specific access needs, contact Errichel Farm Tours before booking.

Timing, group size, and weather

The 10:00 a.m. start is well suited to a morning outing. You can tour first, then sit down for brunch or coffee. It also leaves time afterward to explore more of the Aberfeldy area.

The maximum of eight is one of the most useful details here. Small groups tend to make farm visits calmer and more interactive. You have a better chance of hearing Becky clearly, asking questions, and taking part when feed is offered.

Weather deserves attention. This is an outdoor activity, and it requires good conditions. If Errichel cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before 10:00 a.m., the payment is not refunded, and last-minute changes are not accepted. Since the cut-off uses local time, check the timing carefully if you are booking from outside Scotland.

Wear clothing that can handle a farm setting and changing Scottish weather. The information does not specify required footwear, but practical shoes are a sensible choice for an outdoor visit.

Is $19.20 good value?

At $19.20 per person, the tour offers good value if you want direct animal contact and a guide-led introduction to the farm.

The price covers admission to the one-hour tour, not a meal at Thyme Bistro. That distinction matters, but the short length also keeps the main cost modest. You can decide afterward whether to add brunch, coffee, cake, deli shopping, or time in the grounds.

Value is strongest for families. One adult and one child can enjoy a structured morning without paying for a much larger attraction. The small group also gives the price more weight because you are paying for access and personal attention, not just entry to a public farmyard.

For adults, the value depends on your interest. If you care about ethical farming, Scottish food, or meeting animals in a working setting, the explanations add real substance. If you only want a quick animal photo, you may find the guided format more than you need.

The tour is booked an average of 38 days in advance, so do not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. That booking pattern is especially relevant during school holidays or a busy Perthshire visit.

Who should book Errichel Farm Tour?

Book this tour if you are staying near Aberfeldy and want a friendly rural activity with a strong family focus. It works especially well for children who enjoy feeding animals, but it gives adults enough information to stay interested.

It is also a good pick if you want to support a farm that talks openly about sustainability and animal welfare. The chance to connect the tour with food at Thyme Bistro makes the outing feel purposeful rather than hurried.

I would skip it if bad weather is likely and you have no flexibility. You should also look elsewhere if you want a much longer farm attraction, a self-guided visit, or a large range of organized activities.

For most people who enjoy animals and local food, this is an easy addition to a Perthshire itinerary. Plan the farm visit for 10:00 a.m., allow time for a meal afterward, and leave room in your schedule for a relaxed look around the deli and grounds.

FAQ

Where does the Errichel Farm Tour begin?

The tour begins at Thyme Delicatessen, Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of eight participants.

Which animals can you meet and feed?

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

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes Errichel to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.