Farm Visits

Please note: Due to the current health crisis, our farm visits have been largely postponed until the spring of 2021. Thank you for your understanding.

However, we will go forward with our first on-farm sale of available breeding animals – rams, shearlings, and ram lambs – on August 22nd (11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm). RSVPs are required via info@thehirsel.com for a morning or afternoon visit. Visit this page, for more information.
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Our first monthly themed Farm Visit will be all about Lambing at the Hirsel, and will be timed to occur just after the 2021 lambs have been born, but while the mums and lambs are still in the close (‘in-bye’) fields.
Click HERE for more information.

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Visiting the Hirsel by appointment… (cancelled till further notice)

the view from the steading

The Hirsel is a classic Hill Farm, cobbled together in the distant past from three ancient crofts, and totaling about 30 acres of fields, meadow, wetlands and woodlands. And hills, of course! Our farmhouse is the only remaining of the original three cottages, and may be the oldest inhabited house on Kincardine Hill. You can still find the stones of the other houses, hidden in the tall grasses around the farm. The farm and area is rich with history, both personal and regional – and Farmer Gillies is a wonderful storyteller, when he’s not busy with farm chores.

Follow the leader!

We’re a working farm, raising heritage breed animals – Hebridean sheep and Gloucester Old Spot pigs – so far. We also have a fruit and veggie field, and are beginning to market our produce locally. We practice what is variously called “regenerative”, “sustainable”, and “silvo-pastoral” farming, blending old wisdom and new knowledge to care for our land and animals in the best way possible. This means that, while we are not certified Organic, we farm in many of the ways associated with the Organic label: we do not use chemical fertilizers, pest, or weed controls. Our sheep are important colleagues in this work, grazing many types of invasive plants, and scattering ‘fertilizer’ around our hay fields.

We love showing folks around the Hirsel, telling stories from the Hirsel’s and the surrounding area’s past, present, and hoped-for future, discussing our methods of bringing the farm back from 30 years of neglect, and introducing you to our beloved woollies. With their proud bearing and large horns, our animals may look fierce, but thanks to the way we raise them – respecting their natural behaviors, while building trust between human and animal – many are quite friendly, and some really enjoy some grooming or a scratch under the chin. They’re a wonderful way to introduce yourselves or your children to this amazing breed of heritage Scottish sheep.

Father and Son, braw lads both!

Visiting times:
Visitors are welcome by appointment only, from June 1st to October 31st, weather and farm cycle dependent. There will be times – during harvest and busy sheep days, when we cannot host visitors, so it’s important that you call ahead for an appointment. Reminder: these visits will recommence in 2021.

House Rules

• We can only handle a limited amount of visitors at a time, and all visits must be prearranged.
• Children are very welcome, but must be under close supervision at all times. Please be clear with us if your children have any issues with or fear of animals, so we can tailor your visit, and make sure they leave the Hirsel happy they came.
• Sturdy shoes must be worn, as the terrain is rough. Wellies are recommended during wet months.
•  We ask that you do not visit us if you are ill; all visits are at your own risk. We will ask you to clean your feet and hands upon entering or exiting an animal area.
• Sorry, no dogs allowed. If you are travelling with a dog, be sure he is comfortably secured in your vehicle during your visit.
• While some of our sheep can be quite tame at times, they are NOT pets. They are not always interested in humans, and we respect that. We ask that you do so, as well. So, while we will try to give you as up close an experience as possible and healthy for all, we cannot guarantee a close encounter. We are, however, a small farm, so they will never be very far away.

One more thing: We love telling stories about the farm, our animals, our farming practices, and our area. In fact, we could talk all day on all these subjects.  It is helpful for you to let us know what you are most interested in hearing about, when you visit us. That way, we can be sure to focus on your area of interest.

There will always be a warm welcome for you at the Hirsel!

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Where are we?

Situated just outside of Ardgay, off the A836 – a popular alternative cycle and motorbike route for the picturesque North Coast 500 – we are convenient to many events and things to do in East Sutherland. The beauty of our area is nicely highlighted in videos such as this one by Host – Heart of Sutherland Tourism.  And if you’re traveling by train, the local station is less than a mile away, and there’s a local taxi service that will bring you the short distance to the farm. You can also read about the area at Undiscovered Scotland.

Our postcode is IV24 3DJ. We are on the left (“easter”) fork of Kincardine Hill road, on the edge of Ardgay. If you key our postcode into your satnav, you’ll see a few choices – choose The Hirsel, and you’ll be lead to our front / south gate. You’ll see our sign on the gate post. Please do not try to enter via the gate off the A836, as that way is not suitable for vehicles. We are also easy to find via Google and Bing maps.

In the ‘hood:

• You can find breakfast, lunch, and groceries at the Ardgay Cafe, a short walk from the train station, a 1 kilometer drive or a pleasant hike from the farm. This classic country shop also boasts some fabulous local products and Scottish whiskies. We recommend their lattes! You can eat there, or take-away.
• The award winning Crannag Bistro, located in Bonar Bridge, is just across the water from us.  It’s a comfortable, welcoming restaurant, with a slightly upscale feel, which also does themed take-aways on Friday and Saturday nights. There is also a butcher and grocery in Bonar Bridge, where you can stock up on picnic supplies for your visit to the Hirsel, or for your onward journey.
• The local post office in Bonar Bridge is also a cycle shop, where you can hire a bicycle to explore the area, or have your own repaired.
• Follow the road past our farm, and hike into the common grazing area, where you’ll see the abandoned crofts of a once thriving community.
• Go Wild Highlands offers open canoe trips down the Kyle of Sutherland.
• Try your hand at clay target shooting or deer stalking at the Highland Shooting Centre.
• We’re a short drive from the Falls of Shin, the historic Croick church, and many other must-see stops on your Highland adventure. Check out Host’s ‘things to do’ page.

Handy links for planning your trip:

https://www.heartofsutherland.co.uk/

http://www.northcoast500.com/

https://www.visitscotland.com/

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/great-scenic-rail-journeys

http://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/scottish-highland-games/

https://sutherlandshow.com/