Errichel Farm Tour

At Errichel Farm, the main event is wonderfully simple: you meet the animals, feed them, and learn how a working farm can put animal welfare and sustainable practice first. Becky, one of the farm’s co-owners, leads the one-hour visit and brings a relaxed, personal touch to the experience. You may feed chickens and sheep, watch the pigs at feeding time, and meet a mix of farm residents from Highland ponies to ducks.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which gives children a fair chance to get involved instead of watching from the back. I also like the easy pairing with Thyme Bistro, where you can follow the farm visit with coffee, cake, brunch, or a meal made with the farm’s wider food philosophy in mind.

The main consideration is the weather. This is an outdoor farm visit, and the experience requires good conditions, so a wet day can affect plans. Wear practical clothes, and keep the cancellation terms in mind if your schedule is tight.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet a wide mix of animals: Large Black Pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, ducks, geese, peacocks, and lambs may be part of the visit.
• Becky leads the tour: Her friendly, informal approach works well for children while still giving adults useful insight into farming.
• Small-group setting: The tour takes no more than eight people, making feeding and questions easier.
• A good morning near Aberfeldy: The 10:00 am start leaves time for brunch and a wander around the farm afterward.
• More than an animal encounter: You learn about ethical farming, high-welfare meat production, and the work involved in running a farm.
• Plan for outdoor conditions: Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Meeting the animals at 10:00 am

You begin at Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. The farm is easy to find off the main road, and the activity finishes back at this same meeting point. The scheduled start is 10:00 am, which makes this a useful first outing of the day in Perthshire.

The tour lasts about one hour. That is long enough for a proper introduction to the farm without asking young children to stay focused through a half-day activity. I see the short format as a strength here. You get a clear, hands-on visit, then you can decide if you want to stay for food or continue exploring the area.

The animal list is unusually broad for a short farm tour. You can meet Large Black Pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, and ducks. The wider farm experience may also include geese, peacocks, horses, and lambs.

Feeding is central to the visit. You may feed birds yourself, watch the pigs being fed, and get close to sheep or lambs. On some visits, a child may have the chance to bottle-feed a lamb, although that should be treated as a possibility rather than a guaranteed part of every tour.

For children, the appeal is immediate. They are not simply looking at animals from behind a fence. They have a reason to pay attention, and the feeding moments give the visit a natural rhythm. Adults get something more as well: the chance to see how different breeds behave and to ask about the daily work behind a working farm.

Why the small group matters

Eight people is a useful limit for this kind of activity. Farm tours can lose their charm when a large crowd gathers around one animal, but this format keeps the group close enough for everyone to hear and take part.

I especially like the small-group setup for families with young children. A child can ask a simple question without holding up a crowd, and there is a better chance to get a turn feeding the animals. Adults are not pushed to the side either. The tour works for mixed-age groups, including a family with a one-year-old, as long as everyone is prepared for an outdoor setting.

The compact size also gives the visit a more personal feel. Becky is described as warm, relaxed, and excellent with children. Her approach is informal rather than stiff, which suits a farm where the animals and daily routine are the focus.

This is not a staged show with a large audience. You are getting a guided look at a real farm, with time for conversation. That distinction matters if you want more than a quick petting-zoo stop.

Becky’s approach to ethical farming

One of Errichel’s strongest features is the explanation of how the farm operates. The tour includes information about ethical practices, sustainable farming, and high-welfare meat production. Becky’s enthusiasm for this work is an important part of the experience.

You are not only hearing that animal welfare matters. You get context about the practical work needed to keep a farm functioning. That can include the care of different breeds, the demands of feeding livestock, and the choices involved in producing food responsibly.

I find this especially useful for adults who might otherwise assume the tour is aimed only at children. The animals provide the hook, but the farming discussion gives the visit more substance. You can enjoy meeting a pig or feeding a duck while also learning why Errichel keeps particular breeds and how its food production connects with the farm.

The tour does not promise a technical agricultural class, and it lasts only an hour. Still, it offers a clear introduction to the farm’s values in a way that feels connected to the animals in front of you. That is more meaningful than a generic talk about country life.

The animals children remember most

Every child will have a different favorite, but the mix of animals creates plenty of small moments. The Large Black Pigs bring a sense of occasion to feeding time. Their size and personality make them more memorable than the usual small-animal encounter.

The sheep and lambs offer a gentler side of the visit. A young child may enjoy feeding the sheep, while older children may be curious about rare breeds and how they differ from more familiar farm animals.

The birds keep the experience moving. Chickens, ducks, geese, and peacocks create a busy collection of sounds and activity, and feeding them gives children something they can do with their own hands. You may also meet Highland ponies and Shetland cattle, which add variety even if you are not riding or handling them.

The key point is that you should not expect every animal to be available for close contact at every moment. This is a working farm, not a performance. The appeal comes from observing the animals in their home setting and taking part when the farm routine allows.

A useful add-on at Thyme Bistro

The farm tour begins and ends at Thyme Delicatessen, and the food stop is one of the best ways to plan the morning. You can follow the tour with brunch, coffee, cake, or another meal at Thyme Bistro.

A post-tour meal makes practical sense for families. Children can finish the outdoor activity, use the facilities, and settle down with food. Baby-changing facilities are available, and the toilets have been described as well maintained, which is a useful detail if you are visiting with a baby or toddler.

The setting also gives you a chance to slow down after the tour. You can browse the deli and wander around the maintained grounds instead of rushing straight back to the car. The food is not included in the tour price, so budget for it separately, but the combination can turn a one-hour activity into a relaxed morning.

I would book the farm tour first and decide on food based on your schedule. If you have a long drive or another timed attraction afterward, the one-hour visit is easy to fit in. If you have more time, adding brunch gives the stop a fuller shape.

Is $19.20 good value?

At $19.20 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided, small-group activity that includes admission and direct contact with farm animals. The value is strongest if you want a hands-on experience rather than a quick walk around a public farm.

The maximum of eight people matters here. You are paying for a personal visit, not simply entry to a large animal area. The guide’s explanations, feeding opportunities, and chance to ask questions add value that you would not get from wandering around on your own.

Families should also think about the age of the children. Young children are likely to get the most from the feeding and animal encounters, while adults can weigh the farming and welfare discussion more heavily. For a group of adults, the tour is worth considering if you have a genuine interest in ethical food production. If you only want to see farm animals briefly, the price may feel less appealing.

Food at Thyme Bistro is extra. That is not a problem, but remember that the full morning can cost more than the tour alone if you add brunch, cake, or deli purchases.

Practical details for a smoother visit

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Booking confirmation is sent at the time of booking, so keep the ticket accessible on your phone.

The meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, and the tour begins at 10:00 am. The activity returns to that same point after about an hour.

Wear clothes and shoes you do not mind using around a farm. The tour needs good weather, and poor conditions can result in a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The small group limit is eight people, so the early booking pattern is worth noting if your dates are fixed. This experience is booked, on average, 38 days ahead.

Who should book the Errichel Farm Tour?

I would recommend it first to families with young children who want a gentle, hands-on morning near Aberfeldy. The feeding opportunities, varied animals, short duration, and nearby food make it easy to manage.

It also suits adults who care about farming methods and local food. Becky’s discussion of sustainability and high-welfare meat production gives the visit a purpose beyond animal contact. A group of adults can enjoy the farm, then stay for cheese, food, or a drink at the wider Errichel site.

This is less suitable if you want a long agricultural tour, a guaranteed bottle-feeding session, or a fully indoor activity. The weather can affect the experience, and the exact animal encounters will depend on the farm’s routine that day.

Should you book it?

Book the Errichel Farm Tour if you want a personal, low-key experience with real farm animals and a guide who can connect the fun with ethical farming. The best plan is to take the 10:00 am tour, allow time for feeding and questions, then stay for brunch or coffee at Thyme Bistro.

Families get the clearest value, but adults should not dismiss it as a children-only outing. The small group, thoughtful farm practices, and chance to see how a working food business operates give the hour more depth than its simple format suggests.

FAQ

Where does the Errichel Farm Tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

What animals can I meet?

You can meet and feed Large Black Pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, and ducks. The wider animal collection also includes geese, peacocks, horses, and lambs.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of eight participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The experience is designed as a family-friendly farm visit, and young children can take part in feeding and meeting the animals.

Is food included in the tour?

No. Food is not included in the tour price, but Thyme Bistro is available at the farm for brunch, coffee, cake, and other meals.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.