Loch Lomond farm’s speedboat tour business hailed in new report

A LOCH Lomond farm’s success in diversifying from agriculture into tourism has been highlighted in a new report by a leading rural insurer.

The Scott-Park family’s story is told in an NFU Mutual report which reveals that almost half of the country’s farmers are planning to set up new diversification schemes or expand existing ones.

The insurance firm’s report provides advice on setting up new businesses not directly related to core agricultural activities, and looks at a range of successful schemes from wedding venues and glamping to kefir dairy products and cosmetics.

Faced with an unsustainable future as a dairy farm, the Scott-Park family capitalised on their location, at Portnellan near Gartocharn, to establish a successful accommodation and leisure diversification business.

Realising that the fourth generation of the family could be the last at Portnellan without major changes, 28-year-old Chris Scott-Park (pictured) set up a small business providing speedboat tours of the loch.

Chris and his father, David, also converted buildings and the farmhouse to provide high quality holiday accommodation while building up a grass-fed beef herd.

Their efforts have made Portnellan one of the Loch’s top tourist destinations, as well as remaining a family farm with a 110-head organic beef herd, bred from Aberdeen Angus or Shorthorn bulls.

Chris said: “My grandfather was a little bit sceptical about power boats – he was more of a sailing man really. But he was actually my first charter.

“Obviously boats are not cheap and I was lucky that my parents were able to loan me some money until it generated an income. And since then it’s paid for itself.

“When planning the long-term future of Portnellan, we looked at the assets we had – the landscape, our land and buildings and even the farmhouse.

“We met the National Park, the NFU, and NFU Mutual and through that we created a whole farm business plan.

“We’ve really built it ourselves, promoting it through the website and using channels like Facebook, Instagram and Tripadvisor to help people find out about us.

“It’s something I really do enjoy doing – I’ve taken my passion for Loch Lomond and turned it into a business.”

Martin Malone, NFU Mutual manager for Scotland, said: “Scotland’s farmers are looking for new business opportunities in order to spread their risk as we adapt to trading outside the EU and with major changes to government support for agriculture on their way.

“Scotland’s farmers have always had to adapt to changing times, and a number have been diversifying for decades.

“But even more are seeking ways now to support their agricultural work with new ideas and protect their farms for present and future generations.

“Whether it’s building holiday cottages, launching a wedding venue, or opening a farm shop, not only can these new businesses supplement the existing farm, they often provide other members of the family with a crucial role in the business.

“Our research shows nearly half of farmers are either looking into setting up new businesses on their land or expanding existing diversification ideas, with a quarter planning to diversify in order to create business opportunities for family members.

“However, farmers need to do careful research and costings before they start converting cow sheds into cafés.”

NFU Mutual’s report, together with a series of videos and podcasts produced to help farmers considering diversification, are now available to download at nfumutual.co.uk/diversification.

Chris’s top tips for tourism diversification:

* Make use of what you’ve got, for example, an old shed or unused building.

* Take advantage of your location. Are you in a tourist area? Do you have walking or cycle paths going past your front door or are you just off a main road that’s going to bring people to you?

* Don’t be afraid of competition but try to look for ways to be different.

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