FARMS SCOTLAND

Geise Farm is a charming family-friendly wildlife attraction near Thurso in the far north of Scotland, set across 12 acres of natural woodland laced with winding gravel paths, scenic viewpoints, a wildlife pond, a waterfall, and the iconic Tree of Life. The farm is home to an impressive variety of animals including Highland cattle, alpacas, llamas, peacocks, barn owls, pygmy goats, Shetland ponies, meerkats, and rabbits, alongside a rich diversity of wild species such as herons, buzzards, and deer. Recognised by the RSPB for its conservation efforts and support of 42 varieties of wild flowers, Geise Farm sits along Scotland's celebrated NC500 route and is open year-round, offering families an unforgettable connection with nature in a stunning northern setting.

The Wee Ferm is a charming small hobby farm and chainsaw carving shop located at Spring Croft near Keith in Moray, Scotland, offering intimate pre-booked private visits where guests have the farm entirely to themselves. The friendly resident animals include ponies, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and ducks, with the farm also keeping goats for milk, hens for eggs, and bees for honey, reflecting a genuinely self-sufficient smallholding ethos. A knowledgeable family member accompanies each group, sharing stories about every animal and the rhythms of farm life. The on-site carving shop produces handcrafted items from sustainably sourced Douglas Fir timber from Moray Estates, adding a creative and artisan dimension to this welcoming and personal Scottish rural experience.

West Coast Alpacas is a family-run alpaca trekking centre situated within the scenic Kelburn Estate along the banks of the Clyde, near Largs in North Ayrshire, Scotland, approximately 45 minutes from Glasgow. The centre offers a choice of immersive experiences, including 50-minute alpaca treks through the estate's secluded parkland and 30-minute alpaca feed and meet-and-greet sessions suited to those seeking a gentler encounter. Trekking experiences are suitable for a wide range of ages, though guests should be prepared for some uneven terrain, while the feeding sessions are accessible to wheelchair users. The centre also caters for special occasions such as weddings and private parties, and offers alpaca-themed merchandise. It provides a memorable and charming connection with these friendly animals in a spectacular Scottish coastal setting.

Waulkmill Menagerie is a lively and interactive petting farm located in New Deer, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, home to over 130 friendly animals. The farm is particularly celebrated for its signature attraction of trampoline goats, where visitors can bounce alongside the animals for a truly unique experience. Beyond this memorable highlight, guests can enjoy feeding, interacting with, and learning about a wide variety of farm animals, making it an ideal outing for families and animal enthusiasts. The menagerie offers birthday parties, a kids club, stable club memberships, and welcomes school groups for weekday visits. Open to the public at weekends and available for private bookings, Waulkmill Menagerie is widely regarded as a hidden gem in Aberdeenshire, offering great fun for all ages in a warm and welcoming setting.

Caithness Animal Farm Park is a family-friendly petting farm and wildlife experience located in Lybster, Highland, Scotland, on the A99 road near Wick. Visitors can get up close feeding alpacas, goats, sheep, donkeys, and pigs, and enjoy indoor reptile handling and encounters with bunny rabbits. The park also offers play amenities including bouncy castles and trampolines, as well as special experiences such as private farm visits, reindeer encounters, and exclusive alpaca afternoon tea packages. Birthday parties can be arranged for groups of up to fifteen children. A registered Scottish charity, the attraction operates daily except Tuesdays and provides a gift shop, snack bar, and accessible facilities, making it an ideal hands-on destination for families seeking interactive animal experiences in the far north of Scotland.

East Links Family Park is a comprehensive farm-themed family attraction near Dunbar in East Lothian, Scotland, where play and animal encounters go hand in hand. The park is home to an impressive and diverse collection of animals including Highland cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, deer, wallabies, llamas, prairie dogs, rhea, and more, with food tokens available for feeding the animals. Visitors can also enjoy go-karts, trampolines, a four-level fortress with giant slides, crazy golf, and a safari train ride through the fields. An on-site café, picnic facilities, and seasonal events such as Easter egg hunts and Christmas celebrations make East Links a well-rounded family destination on the East Lothian coast.

Heads of Ayr Farm Park is a well-established family farm park and adventure attraction set near Alloway, south of Ayr on the Ayrshire coast in Scotland. Home to over 80 species of animals, the park invites visitors to meet cheeky meerkats, bouncing wallabies, gentle Highland cows, playful lemurs, friendly goats, ponies, camels, spectacled caiman, and many more. Daily animal feeding sessions, Little Critter petting experiences, and educational Keeper Talks bring guests up close to the resident wildlife. Outdoor adventures include Wild Child Woods, Buccaneer Bay, zip lines, tyre slides, and Diggerland, while indoors a large adventure barn with soft play and giant slides ensures year-round enjoyment. An on-site café serves homemade, locally sourced food, making this a beloved all-day destination for families.

Clyde Valley Family Park is a farm-themed family attraction set in Carluke, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, offering a warm mix of animal encounters and outdoor fun. The park is home to Highland cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, deer, turkeys, chickens, llamas, wallabies, rhea, and more, with a popular Safari Train ride taking visitors through the fields to meet friendly animals. An Education Barn allows hands-on interaction with rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens, while the Cattle Court gives a unique elevated view of larger farm animals. Additional activities include pedal go-karts, crazy bikes, trampolines, giant slides, crazy golf, sand pits, and water play, making it a lively all-weather destination for families across Lanarkshire.

Puffin Croft Petting Farm holds the distinction of being the most northerly petting farm, bed and breakfast, and farm shop in the United Kingdom, located in John o' Groats on the far northern tip of Scotland near Wick. Visitors can interact with a charming collection of animals including donkeys, goats, miniature ponies, sheep, pigs, and rabbits, with no advance booking required. The on-site farm shop stocks homemade baked goods, preserves, and locally made candles and soaps, adding a delightful artisan touch to the visit. Accommodation is available through the adjoining bed and breakfast, making Puffin Croft a wonderful base for exploring the far north of Scotland. The farm has earned a four-star rating from Visit Scotland and offers accessible facilities including flat paths and disabled parking.

Auchingarrich Wildlife Park is a zoo and adventure park set in the scenic Perthshire countryside near Crieff, Scotland, offering families an exciting blend of wildlife encounters and outdoor recreation. The park is home to over 40 species organised across themed geographic zones including Australian wildlife such as wallabies, emus, and kookaburras, African animals including meerkats and lemurs, Asian otters, and UK fauna featuring Scottish wildcats. The World of Feathers section adds further variety to this diverse collection. Visitors can enjoy keeper days and 30-minute animal encounters for an up-close wildlife experience, while adventure playgrounds, a soft play barn, camping, and seasonal events such as Mud Monsters races ensure there is something for everyone. Open daily from 10am to 5pm with an on-site cafe, Auchingarrich Wildlife Park is an entertaining and memorable day out for all the family.

Highland Safaris is an award-winning outdoor wildlife and activity centre in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, recognised as the top visitor experience in the region. The centrepiece is the year-round Land Rover Safari programme, where kilted ranger guides lead mountain, mini, walking, and cycling safaris through the spectacular Scottish Highlands in search of red deer, golden eagles, red grouse, and mountain hares. The Red Deer Centre allows visitors to get up close to Britain's largest native land mammal, feeding, stroking, and photographing these magnificent animals, while resident barn owl Ossian delights guests with hands-on demonstrations. Loch Tay Safaris explore Perthshire's largest loch by cabin vessel from April to October. Gold and gem panning, archery, axe throwing, woodland walks, biking trails, and a maze round out an adventurous programme, all complemented by an award-winning cafe serving locally sourced food.

Tollcross Children's Farm is a free family attraction set within Tollcross Park in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland, occupying carefully restored 19th-century buildings that once served the local estate. Within a charming cobbled courtyard, visitors can meet Clydesdale horses, Shetland ponies, sheep, pigs, alpacas, rabbits, hens, and wandering peacocks, as well as cockatiels and lovebirds. An indoor visitor centre transformed from the historic buildings hosts exhibitions and is home to land snails, a tarantula, and a snake, adding an extra dimension of discovery. Admission is entirely free and the visit typically takes one to two hours, making it an ideal and accessible outing for families with young children in Glasgow.