Working farm routinely hosts visitors
IAN STALKER
Scotland’s Newton Fothringham Farm is a great place for visitors wanting to familiarize themselves with coos.
And alpacas, sheep, goats, ducks, hens and a host of other creatures.
The farm, found in the Angus area, hosts tourists curious about farming in Scotland, with those visitors able to get up close and personal with different farm animals, including coos, a common Scottish pronunciation for cows.
“This is completely authentic. We’re not touristy,” says the farm’s Louise Nicoll, who runs it with her family.
The pet-friendly farm — which has won awards from Scottish tourism authorities — says it’s committed to giving its “2-and 4-legged guests the best agritoursim adventure imaginable.”
The Nicolls made the decision to host visitors 7 years ago, deciding relying on agricultural earnings alone to support themselves was challenging.
Visitors can overnight at the farm, with self-catering cottages being one option.
Those visitors can also feed some of the farm animals, some of which are protected by alpacas, which are effective in keeping predatory area foxes at bay.
Nicoll says the area climate is ideally suited for alpacas, which are native to the Andes.
An alpaca walking experience is available for those who are particularly curious about the distinctive-looking mammals.
Nicoll adds that alpaca wood is considerably warmer than sheep wool.
Newton Fothringham Farm also has Highland cows, easily recognizable because of their long horns and shaggy coats.
Nicoll adds that she and her family are committed to sustainability, citing the likes of farm solar panels.
Meanwhile, Nicoll says that adapting the farm to a tourist-welcoming attraction wasn’t always easy.
“This has been a steep learning curve,” she reports.
More information is available at newtonfarmholidays.co.uk.
