Collaboration breeds success for Comrie Croft
By focusing on diverse markets and working closely with other local businesses, Comrie Croft has taken their business to the next level. Find out how the rural leadership programme helped them establish a truly collaborative venture.
Comrie Croft is a 'free range' destination mostly set on a 230 acre farm in Perthshire. They sell a relaxed, friendly, outdoors experience, whether guests come for a cup of tea or for their wedding.
The business includes:
- Three budget accommodation/group venues with 116 beds
- Conference and event facilities
- A 34 pitch campsite
- Five Swedish katas (glamping tents)
- A bike business
- A 'locally sourced' shop
- A tea garden/café operated by another business
How the Rural Leadership Programme helped
Owner Andrew Donaldson said: "The rural leadership programme has given me access to support from Scottish Enterprise, local MSPs and other businesses to establish a truly collaborative venture. In addition, it has given me new contacts who have the same passion and vision to drive Scotland's rural economy forward."
The team, growth and development
The business currently has 50 shareholder-ambassadors and nine full-time employees.
Comrie Croft's markets are diverse, but they are focused particularly on groups and individuals from central Scotland who enjoy the outdoors, especially families. There is also a much more local market for attractions like the tea garden and bike shop.
Comrie Croft has contributed to rural regeneration in their area through the creation of eco-crofts, low-impact housing, and other complementary enterprises, land uses and recreation.
As an active member of the Breadalbane Tourism Cooperative, they set up (with other local businesses) the 'Ring of Breadalbane Explorer', a bus service for tourists and local residents. It is a green visitor attraction that attracts visitors who don't have transport or who wish to lower their carbon footprint. The Explorer bus service is an example of businesses working together to achieve something useful for all that they couldn't have achieved individually.
Looking towards the future
Comrie Croft is focused on growing by building footfall and the increasing profit generated by each visitor by developing enterprises - or collaborating with others to develop enterprises - that complement the greater whole.
They aim to increase their focus on new markets, including weddings, corporate groups and schools. In addition, the team plans to invest in low-impact housing and perma-culture smallholdings.
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