Supporting ‘Agritourism’ and rural businesses across Scotland

Our privileged position as tax advisors and accountants to many rural businesses throughout Scotland’s wonderful landscape has allowed us to be involved in advising clients on a range of leisure sector projects, often diversification enterprises from the main rural business. These projects have included tourism accommodation, shops and cafes, and events venues.

As Scotland’s tourism sector seeks to grow, rural Scotland is grasping the fantastic opportunity to capture a meaningful proportion of that growth by offering world class facilities to match our world class natural environment.

In the past, initiatives such as the Farm Business Development Scheme provided valuable grant funding to projects which would not have got off the ground otherwise. More recently, Agritourism Monitor Farms have been established, and these projects enable best practice to be established and shared by a range of stakeholders, including established tourism facility providers and potential ones. The latest monitor farm projects are getting underway from April 2019, with more details available on the Scottish Agritourism Monitor Farm Programme website.

Of course, any new enterprise, or expansion of an existing enterprise, requires careful consideration and advice in relation to finance, tax, business structure and business strategy. That is where we play our part, adding value for our clients and ensuring that all the key areas have been properly considered. Poorly planned projects rarely succeed so we always urge clients to speak to us as early as possible in the process of considering a new enterprise.

As members of Scotland Food & Drink, a key sector leader promoting the interests of Scotland, we are committed to supporting growth strategies and broadening networks which will deliver the continued success for Scotland’s food and drink industry.

If you are involved in a leisure business based in rural Scotland, or you are considering establishing one, please contact our EQ Food & Drink specialists via leisure@eqaccountants.co.uk or by calling one of our offices.