World Tourism Day 2025: Tourism and Sustainable Transformation at Solsgirth Home Farm

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 27 September, and in 2025 the theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”. This global focus highlights how the travel industry can embrace change that benefits people, places, and the planet.

Here at Solsgirth Home Farm, in the heart of central Scotland, we are proud to contribute to this transformation. Our working farm, self-catering accommodation, and event spaces are not only a place to visit but a place to learn, to share, and to experience the very best of Scottish rural life in a way that is sustainable and meaningful.

Tourism with purpose

Sustainable transformation is at the core of what we do. By being part of Tourism Cares, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing responsible travel, we are connected to a global network working towards tourism that protects environments, strengthens communities, and inspires positive change.

Tourism Cares provides resources and opportunities to help businesses like ours operate responsibly and support host communities. Their mission is to ensure that travel gives back more than it takes, whether that means conserving natural spaces, celebrating cultural heritage, or creating opportunities for local people.

At Solsgirth, these principles come alive in everyday practice. We source food directly from our own farm – meat from animals raised on our land, honey from our hives, and work with local shops that supply dairy, baked goods, and other artisan products, ensuring our guests enjoy the best of central Scotland. We design experiences that bring visitors closer to nature and to the people who live here. And we continue to invest in ways that make our farm a place of learning, creativity, and community connection.

A place to stay, explore, and create

Visitors to Solsgirth Home Farm can enjoy a range of experiences that put sustainability into action:

• Self-catering accommodation in converted farmhouse and other properties linked to the estate, blending comfort with rural character.

• Event spaces for weddings, celebrations, and professional gatherings, offering a countryside setting within easy reach of major cities.

• A monthly farmers’ market, showcasing seasonal produce and supporting local growers, bakers, and makers.

• Guided farm tours, which highlight not only farming practice but also the value of caring for the land.

• Creative courses and seasonal events, run in partnership with local artists and craftspeople.

  
  

Each of these activities is designed to enrich the visitor experience while strengthening local economies and cultural traditions.

Bespoke visitor experiences

Sustainable transformation also means rethinking how groups travel and experience destinations. At Solsgirth, we work with travel trade organisers to create bespoke packages that are carefully managed, professionally run, and rooted in local partnerships.

Options include:

• Creative workshops such as willow weaving, slow stitching, and felt card making – or even designing a themed workshop of your own.

• Exclusive farm tours for groups (minimum pricing applies for up to 20 guests), including tea, coffee, and homemade baking.

• Other bespoke options available on request, such as a hog roast, private dinner with a personal chef, whisky tasting, or an immersive coffee experience with Ochils Coffee Roastery.

• Sheepdog herding demonstrations, hosted right here on the estate grounds.

  
  

We encourage enquiries, as we are always happy to explore new ideas and see what is possible. Every bespoke experience is designed in collaboration with trusted local partners, ensuring that guests enjoy authentic activities while supporting community businesses and talent.

Discovering Clackmannanshire and Perth & Kinross

Sustainable transformation in tourism also means encouraging travellers to look beyond our business. Here on the edge of Clackmannanshire and Perth & Kinross, visitors can experience both hidden gems and well-loved landmarks.

Clackmannanshire, Scotland’s smallest county, offers the Ochil Hills for walking, Alloa Tower for history, and independent shops, galleries, and cafes that give a flavour of local life. Through our membership of Discover Clackmannanshire, we are part of a network dedicated to showing how much this “Wee County” has to offer.

Across in Perth & Kinross, the landscapes broaden to include rivers, woodlands, and market towns. Perth itself combines cultural heritage with modern energy, while rural villages highlight traditional crafts and local produce. From fishing on the Tay to exploring historic castles, this county offers depth and variety for every visitor.

By choosing Solsgirth Home Farm, guests are not only supporting sustainable agritourism but also gaining a base to explore both counties responsibly.

The National Wallace Monument - Credit VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Working together for Scottish tourism

Transformation is not something achieved alone – it is about collaboration. That is why we are proud to be part of VisitScotland, the national organisation promoting Scotland across the globe. VisitScotland provides support and visibility that helps businesses like ours grow while keeping sustainability at the forefront.

We are also members of Scottish Agritourism (Go Rural), a movement championing farm stays and rural hospitality. Go Rural connects visitors with real farming experiences, ensuring that travellers understand the origins of their food and the importance of supporting rural businesses.

Together with these organisations, we help build a Scottish tourism industry that is resilient, responsible, and ready for the future.

Looking ahead

The theme of World Tourism Day 2025 – Tourism and Sustainable Transformation –resonates deeply with us at Solsgirth Home Farm. Transformation is not about grand gestures but about everyday choices: supporting local producers, designing thoughtful visitor experiences, protecting landscapes, and celebrating culture.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to building a tourism model that benefits our visitors, our community, and our environment. Whether you are a travel trade organiser creating bespoke group itineraries, a family searching for a rural escape, or a traveller eager to experience Scotland in a meaningful way, we look forward to welcoming you.