An hour with farm animals sets a nice tone for Perthshire. At Errichel Farm near Aberfeldy, you join a small group tour where you meet heritage breeds and feed them, while Becky brings the farm’s ethical farming story to life. I love how hands-on it is, and I also like that you learn the why behind their practices instead of just walking past pens.

Two things I like a lot: first, the max eight group size keeps it personal, even with kids buzzing with questions. Second, you get up close with animals like Large Black pigs and rare-breed sheep, plus cattle, ponies, chickens, and ducks.

One drawback to plan around: the farm tour depends on good weather, so if skies turn nasty, schedules can shift and you will need a bit of flexibility.

Key highlights I’d bookmark

• Small group of up to 8: easier chats, calmer for little ones
• Hands-on animal feeding: pigs, sheep, cattle, ponies, chickens, and ducks
• Heritage breeds on show: Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle
• Becky’s guided style: friendly and educational without feeling like a classroom
• Easy add-on brunch after: food at Thyme Bistro and snacks at the deli
• Weather matters: the tour needs good conditions to run well

Where Errichel Farm Tours Works Best in Your Aberfeldy Plans

Errichel Farm Tours is based in and around Aberfeldy, so it fits neatly into a day in Perthshire. The tour runs about one hour, starting at 10:00am, and it ends back at the same meeting spot. If you want something active but not exhausting, this is a solid pick.

Your meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK. Showing up a few minutes early helps, especially if you’re arriving with kids or a stroller.

This isn’t a big, timed “cattle car” style attraction. You’re joining a small group, and that changes the vibe fast—less waiting, more focused interaction.

Your One-Hour Tour: What You Actually Do at Errichel

Stop 1 is Errichel Farm, and the whole experience is built around meeting the animals and feeding them. You will spend about an hour with the farm team and your guide, moving between areas where different animals live and eat.

Here’s what you can expect to meet and feed:

• Large Black pigs
• Rare-breed sheep
• Shetland cattle
• Highland ponies
• Chickens (assorted)
• Many ducks

That list matters, because it is not just “see animals.” You get the chance to interact. For families, that hands-on part is usually the real memory-maker. For adults, it is a quick way to understand what a working farm involves and how animal care fits into daily routines.

You might also notice extra birds and variety during the visit, since the farm’s animal collection includes more than just the core lineup above. One visitor highlighted peacocks and geese as part of their experience. You should go in expecting a mix, not a rigid script.

Becky and the Ethical Farming Story You Don’t Have to Pretend to Care About

The guide is often Becky, and she shows up with real energy. In practice, that means the tour stays friendly and relaxed, not stiff or overly formal.

The tour’s focus includes the farm’s ethical practices. In plain terms, you are learning how they think about high-welfare farming and how those values connect to the animals you are meeting. You also get a sense of how a working farm keeps running day after day, not just how it looks for visitors.

What I appreciate as a visitor is that the learning feels tied to what you are doing. You are feeding an animal, then you hear the farm’s reasoning behind how they raise and care for it. It is education with context.

If you are traveling with kids, that matters even more. One family specifically praised how Becky makes the tour fun and hands-on for young children, not just for adults.

Animal Time: Best Moments for Kids and Adults Alike

If your group includes little kids, this kind of farm tour often hits the sweet spot. You get direct contact with animals, plus enough structure to keep it safe and smooth. And because the group stays small, adults can still ask questions without losing the thread.

A few standout types of moments you can reasonably expect:

• Watching pigs being fed (the noise alone is usually worth it)
• Feeding ducks and chickens directly
• Meeting lambs and learning how they fit into the farm cycle
• Seeing bigger animals like ponies and cattle up close

One review mentioned that someone in their group got to bottle feed a lamb. That is not something you can count on every visit, but it does give you a good sense of how hands-on the experience can be when the farm conditions allow it.

A calm tip: follow the guide’s instructions closely around feedings and animal areas. Even if it feels casual, the farm rules are there for a reason—animal welfare and visitor safety.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Option)

Errichel is especially well suited to families with young children. The tour is designed around people being able to get close to animals, and the small group size helps keep attention focused. One visitor described it as a unique experience for the Tay Valley area, and that matches the overall feel here.

Adults also tend to enjoy it, even without kids tagging along. The ethical farming angle and the behind-the-scenes look at how a working farm functions makes it more than a simple animal parade.

If you are looking for long walking routes, sweeping outdoor views, or a half-day hike, this may feel short. The whole thing is about one hour, and it is structured around a farm introduction and animal interaction.

Thyme Delicatessen and Thyme Bistro: Plan Lunch Right After

One of the smartest ways to use this tour is to treat it as the start of a meal plan, not a stand-alone activity. The tour’s meeting point is Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, and many visitors follow up with food at Thyme Bistro.

In a couple of reviews, brunch after the farm tour was a key part of the day. The food was described as decent, and the setting is part of the appeal.

If you travel with a baby or toddler, it’s also worth noting that one family specifically mentioned baby changing facilities were top notch. That makes it easier to keep the morning moving.

Even if you do not do a full brunch, you can still use the deli and bistro as a convenient place to reset after the farm time.

Price and Value: Is $19.20 a Good Deal for One Hour?

At $19.20 per person, the price is relatively easy to swallow—especially because the admission ticket is included. You also get a small-group format, which tends to be where animal experiences can either feel personal or feel rushed.

So what are you paying for?

• A guided, structured introduction to a working farm
• Hands-on feeding opportunities
• Time with heritage breeds and farm animals you may not see elsewhere
• Explanations of ethical practices (not just “here’s a pen”)

Could you spend less at a basic petting-style stop? Sure, depending on what you choose. But Errichel feels like you are getting a focused, human-scaled experience where you are allowed to interact and ask questions.

If you are traveling as a couple, it can also be a good way to break up a car day. One hour is short enough to keep your day flexible, and long enough to feel like you did something real.

Practical Tips Before You Go (So the Hour Flows Smoothly)

This tour is in English, and you receive confirmation at booking. It is also set up for a mobile ticket, which makes it easier if you are traveling light.

The biggest practical factor is weather. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That is a big deal for planning—especially in Scotland, where a small shift in timing can change the day.

What to wear:

• Wear footwear you do not mind getting a bit dirty. Farm areas can be uneven or damp.
• Dress in layers. Even if the morning starts fine, conditions can shift quickly.

Family practicality:

• Go into it expecting kid energy. The small group size is a big help, but you will still want patience.
• Bring hats or light rain gear if the forecast looks uncertain.

Accessibility:

• Most travelers can participate.
• Service animals are allowed.

Should You Book Errichel Farm Tour?

Book it if you want a short, family-friendly activity that actually lets you interact with farm animals. The small group limit, the hands-on feedings, and Becky’s kind, practical guidance make it feel personal for both kids and adults.

Skip it (or consider a different option) if you are set on a long outdoor outing or you cannot be flexible about weather. Since the tour needs good conditions, having backup plans for that morning is smart.

If your goal is a warm, educational farm visit in the Aberfeldy area that does not eat your whole day, Errichel is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Errichel Farm Tour?

The tour lasts about one hour.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Thyme Delicatessen Errichel, Aberfeldy PH15 2EL, UK, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What animals will we meet and feed?

The tour includes meeting and feeding Large Black pigs, rare-breed sheep, Shetland cattle, Highland ponies, assorted chickens, and many ducks.

Is the tour a small group and is it in English?

Yes. It is a small-group experience with a maximum of eight travelers, and it is offered in English.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you will not receive a refund.