When the word ‘farmer’ is mentioned, the first images which come to mind are of someone who mucks out sheds, rears animals, and drives a tractor.
Whilst these images still remain accurate in part, a visit to Lennox of Lomond’s farm in Luss provides a new idea of what it means to be a farmer in the modern day.
Having been tenant farmers at Shemore farm since the 1750s, the family has witnessed the industry’s landscape change over time.
With the family no longer able to rely on farming alone, they have diversified into the agritourism sector in recent years to create a more sustainable model which allows it to continue the work which has been carried out for centuries.
This approach has seen the addition of glamping facilities and cottages for self-catering holidaymakers, but arguably one of the most exciting - and most definitely the cutest - experiences on offer are the Lambing on Loch Lomond sessions.
Kay Wilson, an 11th generation farmer, delivers the sessions along with her parents, Bobby and Anne Lennox.
She said: “We try and do an array of things to bring in additional income.
“It creates a lot more work, but in the long run it’s really important not to have all of our eggs in one basket.
“With the changes after Brexit and the government removing all of our subsidies over the next few years, farmers really need to be thinking quite far ahead about how they can survive this.
“We hope we’ve created a really sustainable model now.
“The other part of it is we really enjoy doing tours.
“We’re obviously blessed with where we live and it’s really nice to welcome folk, but at the same time it’s educating people.”
The farm offers full day, half day, afternoon and weekend sessions during the peak of lambing season.
Visitors have the chance to learn about the ewes and the lambing process, before taking a trip on the quad bike trailer and getting a cuddle from some of the farm’s newest woolly additions.
Those who attend the sessions will often be able to see lambs who are mere hours old, with some even being lucky enough to witness a live birth.
Kay added: “Seeing a live birth is incredible, and I love watching folks’ faces.
“We had some guests leaving today, and I told them to come see me in the shed before they went.
“There was a new lamb, and their faces were just full of pure shock and admiration. That really just makes it for us.
“It’s quite humbling and it makes you really grateful for what we do.
“Yes, it’s long hours, and sometimes you’re up at 4am, but you make it work and juggle your day.
“We’re really passionate about the education - it’s something special.”
Tours are not a new addition to the farm, with Kay’s grandfather having introduced them 50 years ago for students, vets, and food writers.
The lambing sessions have also been offered for a number of years, but a ticketing system had to be brought in after the family featured on the BBC’s This Farming Life in 2015.
Sessions had to be put on hold during the pandemic, but the farm was able to begin welcoming visitors again in late April last year.
A maximum of eight people from one household bubble could attend for a private visit, but the family is delighted to now be able to host up to 20 per session.
The experience has been enjoyed by both young and old, and Kay believes everyone takes something away from it.
She added: “Our ordinary is their extraordinary. Some people might think a field full of sheep is really dull, but actually talking about the wool, the markings, the tags, and everything helps people understand a bit more.
“Some of the kids that come along now want to be farmers or want to learn a bit more about agriculture, so it’s about inspiring that next generation as well.
“There are so many jobs out there – it doesn’t have to be academic. Being a farmer, you have to be part chemist, vet, engineer, electrician, and plumber.
“I don’t do all of those things, but my husband does - and I’m good at the sheep husbandry side of things, so together we’re a good team.
“My father can do everything, so I’m just an apprentice learning from him for as long as I can.”
Ticket prices for the sessions range from £20-£95.
They will run until this Sunday, May 8, with some tickets remaining online at lennoxoflomond.com/.
Details of similar sessions at farms elsewhere in Scotland can also be found at goruralscotland.com/.
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