Braeside of Lindores Farm case study

4 minute read • Last published: 25 February 2025

Braeside of Lindores Farm in Fife is a third generation working farm with accommodation and food experiences. They excel in the luxury market, offering escapes and experiences for couples and families.

It’s a working farm with animals and stunning countryside view which “offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life”.

Each rural retreat features a private hot tub, floor to ceiling windows, private enclosed gardens and beautiful interiors.

Anna and Richard Black returned to the farm in 2014 after university and travel, to build a business that would enhance and improve their farm for the next generation. It’s important to them that it’s sustainable, inclusive and for the benefit of the local community.

The initial steps

Owners at the Hide at Lindores
© Braeside of Lindores

The aim was to create a venue that would make the most of the views and deliver an experience that would immerse visitors in the farm environment and the production of the food and drink they would enjoy.

Anna and Richard decided to build Lindores Lodge, a holiday rental property, on the farm. Quickly the lodge exceeded their occupancy predictions, and this gave them the opportunity to build and develop another three sites.

In 2020, they partnered with a local chef, Andrew Wilkie, to offer catering for guests. This was their first entry into food and drink.

“We started with supper boxes, delivered to guests. The menu was short, offering classic dishes that proved clear winners with our visitors. This gave us the confidence to look at expanding our food and drink offering.”

In 2021, they built The Hide a food-focused venue situated on Lindores Hill, overlooking the Tay. It is a custom-designed cabin accommodating a live fire cooking experience with an option for a chef to cook the meal for a small number of visitors.

The customer experience

The Hide at Braeside of Lindores Farm in Fife
© Braeside of Lindores Farm

We want people to leave Lindores happy. Pleasing people is our business.

How do you offer a quality customer experience?

Anna and Richard focus on smaller visitor numbers and a high-quality experience. They reckon that flexibility has been key to offering tailored, memorable experiences.

“Some overseas visitors want a "Scottish" experience, and, so, we will even get a piper in to add these touches. Using hyper-local produce where possible and working with nearby businesses helps to offer a sense of place.”

Growing the business

Luxury accommodation at Braeside of Lindores Farm
© Braeside of Lindores Farm

Go with your gut.

Once built, The Hide attracted bookings from visitors looking for a special place for a group gathering. A central value of the business is to ensure the experiences are inclusive and accessible.

To attract visitors with a range of budgets, they developed three packages for visitors. These flexible options help to keep occupancy levels healthy.

To service these options and ensure they could offer great food to guests, they have worked with a number of experienced local chefs on a freelance basis.

Working with the travel trade

By collaborating with Scotland’s Tay Country, Anna received dedicated travel trade training from a specialist. This gave them a chance to test their product and get valuable feedback to refine their experience.

The training, along with support in creating a brochure and pricing pack, proved invaluable.

They learned that their location was ideal for securing business from the travel trade. This was because they could be included in an itinerary combining major sites nearby.

Do you have any advice for other tourism businesses?

"Partner with the right like-minded businesses." Anna explained that working with Welcome to Fife,  Business Gateway Fife, and VisitScotland offered them valuable support in helping them to make connections.

Anna emphasises the importance in talking to people locally and trying to work together.

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