Errichel Farm Tour

The best part of Errichel Farm Tour is the close contact with the animals. You are not simply looking over a fence. You may help feed the chickens and sheep, watch the pigs at feeding time, and meet a lively mix of ducks, geese, ponies, cattle, and birds. Becky’s friendly, hands-on guiding gives the hour a personal feel, especially for children.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which makes it easier to hear, ask questions, and take part. I also like the clear link between the animals and Errichel’s ethical farming practices. The main consideration is the weather: this is an outdoor farm visit, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or a change of date.

Key points about Errichel Farm Tour

• Feed the farm animals: You may give food to chickens, sheep, ducks, and geese, with other animals to see along the way.
• Meet a wide mix of breeds: Large Black Pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, horses, lambs, peacocks, and poultry are part of the farm experience.
• A genuinely small group: The tour accepts no more than eight people, so it feels more like a guided visit than a busy attraction.
• A strong family choice: Young children can take part, and the relaxed format works well for a one-year-old as well as older children.
• More than a children’s activity: Adults get a useful look at how a working farm operates and how high-welfare food production fits into the business.
• Easy to pair with food: The tour begins and ends at Thyme Delicatessen, with Thyme Bistro available for brunch, lunch, coffee, and cake afterward.

Why the animals make this Aberfeldy tour special

Errichel Farm Tour is built around contact with real farm animals. The hour is not a long walk through fields with a guide talking at you. Instead, the group moves around the farm, stopping to meet and feed its residents.

You can expect Large Black Pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, chickens, ducks, and other birds. The wider farm setting also includes geese, horses, lambs, and peacocks. That mix gives the visit plenty of variety, particularly for children who may lose interest if the experience focuses on one animal alone.

The feeding is the key feature. You may feed birds and sheep yourself, while watching the pigs being fed. For a child, that changes the visit from simple animal watching into something they can remember and talk about later. For an adult, it offers a more direct sense of the care and work involved in running a farm.

Some animals have strong personalities. Topsy, one of the farm’s animals, became a particular favorite for one family group. You cannot count on meeting one specific animal in a certain mood, of course, but the personal names and individual character of the animals help make Errichel feel like a working home for animals rather than a standard petting attraction.

The farm also includes an assortment of chickens and many ducks. That matters because young children often enjoy the quick, noisy movement of birds as much as the larger animals. You might find the bird feeding one of the simplest and most enjoyable parts of the tour.

Meeting Becky at Thyme Delicatessen

The meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen at Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL. The farm is near Aberfeldy and easy to find off the main road. The activity begins at 10:00 am, so plan to arrive with enough time to locate the deli and get ready for an outdoor visit.

Becky, one of Errichel’s co-owners, leads the tour. Her approach is relaxed and informal. She is especially good with children, but the guiding is not limited to simple animal facts. She also explains how a working farm functions and why Errichel places emphasis on sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production.

That balance is important. A child can focus on feeding a duck, while an adult can listen to the practical side of farming. You get a look at the connection between animal care, farm management, and the food served at Errichel’s own bistro and deli.

The group size helps here. With no more than eight people, you have a better chance of hearing Becky clearly and asking questions without holding up a large crowd. It also gives children more room to take part instead of watching from behind a line of adults.

The tour ends where it starts, at the meeting point. That makes the morning simple to plan, especially if you want to stay for food afterward.

A one-hour format that keeps children engaged

The tour lasts about one hour. That is a useful length for a family outing. It gives you enough time to see several parts of the farm without turning the visit into a full-day commitment.

A one-hour tour also suits younger children. One family brought a one-year-old and found the relaxed pace manageable. Another child aged nine enjoyed taking part in the animal feeding and helping describe the experience. The activity can therefore work for a mixed-age family, although children will need to stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions around the animals.

The pace is informal rather than rushed. You might spend time at the birds, then move on to sheep, pigs, horses, ponies, or cattle. The exact order is not provided, and farm activity can vary from one day to another. Animals may be more active at feeding time, while weather and normal farm work can affect what you see.

Rain does not automatically mean the experience will be unpleasant, but you should dress for outdoor conditions. One family still enjoyed the tour in light rain. At the same time, Errichel notes that the experience requires good weather. If the farm cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What you learn about ethical farming

The tour has value beyond animal contact because it explains Errichel’s approach to farming. Becky discusses sustainable farming and high-welfare meat production, giving you a clearer picture of the work behind ethically produced food.

This is not a formal lecture, and that is part of its appeal. You learn while standing near the animals and seeing the farm in use. The setting makes the subject easier to understand than a general discussion about food production removed from the animals themselves.

The tour can help children grasp where food comes from without making the subject heavy. They see pigs, sheep, cattle, and poultry as living animals that need care, food, and attention. Adults get a more practical look at the demands of keeping a farm running.

Errichel’s food businesses give the subject a local connection. After the tour, you can visit Thyme Bistro or the deli, where the farm’s ideas about quality and ethical production continue into the food on offer. The tour itself does not include brunch, lunch, or a tasting, so budget separately if you want to eat afterward.

Pairing the tour with brunch at Thyme Bistro

The farm tour is easy to turn into a longer morning. Thyme Bistro is at the same Errichel site, and several visitors followed the animal visit with brunch, lunch, coffee, or cake.

That pairing works well because the tour starts early at 10:00 am and lasts about an hour. Afterward, you can sit down rather than immediately getting back in the car. One family specifically appreciated the coffee and cake, while another enjoyed a full meal after the farm visit.

The bistro is not included in the $19.20 tour price, so think of the farm admission as one part of the outing. At that price, I see good value if you will make use of the hands-on animal time and the guide’s explanation of farm life. It is less compelling if you only want a quick look at animals from a distance, since a one-hour visit may feel short for someone seeking a large farm park.

The setting also includes maintained grounds and a deli. You might spend additional time walking around after eating, though the guided farm activity itself remains approximately one hour.

A separate cheese and wine tasting has also been available at Errichel, but it is not part of this farm tour. Do not assume it is included when booking the animal visit.

Who will get the most from this visit

Families with young children are the clearest match. The chance to feed birds and sheep, see pigs up close, and meet horses, ponies, lambs, and cattle gives children a full hour of activity. The small group also makes the experience easier for parents who want a calm pace.

The tour suits adults, too. The farming discussion gives the visit more substance than a basic children’s attraction. If you care about sustainable farming, animal welfare, or the link between local food and working farms, you will find useful context here.

It is also a good choice for anyone spending time around Aberfeldy or the Tay Valley who wants something different from a castle, town walk, or scenic drive. You do not need to make it an all-day excursion. The short length lets you fit it into a morning before other plans.

You should think twice if you dislike outdoor activities in changeable weather or need a fully indoor experience. The tour requires good weather, and normal farm conditions are part of the visit. The information provided does not promise full step-free access or a specific route for mobility needs, so contact the provider before booking if you have access concerns.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The small group limit is eight people, including children.

Price, timing, and booking value

The price is $19.20 per person. For an hour of guided time with direct animal contact, that is a fair price, particularly for a family that plans to eat at the bistro afterward.

The value comes from the combination of three things: access to a working farm, feeding opportunities, and personal guidance from Becky. You are paying for more than admission to a field with animals. You are also getting an explanation of the farm’s ethical practices and a chance to ask questions in a small group.

The price may feel less attractive for a visitor who wants a long farm stay or a broad range of activities. This is a focused, one-hour experience. Its strength is the quality of that hour, not the amount of time on site.

The tour is often booked about 38 days ahead on average. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful sign that you should plan ahead, especially if you have a fixed holiday schedule or need a particular morning.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the ticket is mobile. The tour is offered in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 10:00 am start are not accepted for a refund.

Practical advice for a smoother farm visit

Arrive at Thyme Delicatessen before 10:00 am so you are not trying to find the meeting point at the last moment. The activity returns to the same place, which keeps the logistics easy.

Wear clothes and shoes suited to a farm visit. The tour takes place outdoors, and the weather can change. Errichel may cancel in poor weather, but ordinary damp conditions are still possible, so a waterproof layer is sensible.

If you are bringing children, explain that feeding should happen only when Becky gives instructions. Farm animals can be eager and unpredictable, and the guide controls the safest way to approach them.

Keep the post-tour meal in mind when planning your timing. Thyme Bistro and the deli make it easy to continue the outing, and baby-changing facilities are available. Food and drink are separate from the tour price.

Because the group is capped at eight, count every person when deciding how many places to book. The format is particularly pleasant when a family or small party fills much of the group, but the activity remains open to other people until the limit is reached.

Should you book Errichel Farm Tour?

Book this tour if you want a short, personal farm visit near Aberfeldy where children can feed animals and adults can learn about ethical farming. Becky’s relaxed style, the small group, and the wide mix of animals give the hour more character than a simple walk around a petting area.

It is also a smart pick if you plan to eat at Thyme Bistro afterward. The farm tour, brunch, deli, and grounds can make a pleasant morning in the Tay Valley.

Skip it if you want a long outdoor excursion, a fully indoor activity, or a tour with many formal attractions. For most families, food-minded visitors, and adults curious about responsible farming, the $19.20 price is reasonable. Check the weather, allow time for the 10:00 am start, and book ahead if your dates are fixed.

FAQ

Where does the Errichel Farm Tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The activity starts at 10:00 am.

How long does the farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

What animals can you meet?

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

Can you feed the animals?

Yes. The tour includes opportunities to feed animals, including chickens, sheep, ducks, and geese. You can also watch the pigs being fed.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If Errichel cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. For other cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.