Nominee Summary
Bothies & Bannocks was founded in 2019 by local guide and chef Calum Lockerbie, inspired by a deep passion for his home area in Aberdeenshire. The business delivers authentic, immersive tourism experiences rooted in local food, culture and landscape, taking visitors off the beaten track to meet the people who define the region. Operating across Royal Deeside, Speyside and the wider North East, it connects guests with farmers, distillers and producers, supporting rural enterprise. With a strong focus on storytelling, safety and sustainability, it creates memorable experiences that celebrate Scotland’s heritage and strengthen the local visitor economy.
What makes your nominee stand out?
Operating a tourism business in rural Aberdeenshire presents distinct logistical and seasonal challenges, from dispersed locations and variable weather to limited public transport and fluctuating visitor demand. Bothies & Bannocks has addressed these challenges through innovation, flexibility and strong local partnerships. By developing a specialist transport and support service, the business has removed access barriers for visitors seeking outdoor and remote experiences, enabling safe and seamless travel across the region. Seasonality has been mitigated by diversifying the offering. Alongside traditional tours, the business has introduced year-round experiences such as cookery classes, farm visits and themed food and drink tours, ensuring consistent engagement beyond peak tourist months. This has helped sustain local supply chains and create reliable income streams for partner businesses. Another key challenge has been standing out in a competitive tourism market. Bothies & Bannocks has done so by focusing on authenticity and storytelling, drawing on Calum’s background in farming and professional cookery to create genuinely local experiences rather than generic tours. This approach resonates strongly with visitors seeking meaningful connections to place. The business has also prioritised safety and professionalism, investing in advanced driver training, first aid certification and full licensing, ensuring visitors feel secure when exploring rural and outdoor environments. Through adaptability, collaboration and a clear sense of identity, Bothies & Bannocks has successfully navigated the complexities of rural tourism while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.
Changes that have been implemented
Bothies & Bannocks has introduced a range of innovative changes to enhance tourism and visitor management in Aberdeenshire and beyond. A key development has been the integration of transport, guiding and catering into a single, seamless service. By offering specialist transport for adventure activities alongside guided tours, the business has improved accessibility to remote areas and reduced the logistical burden on visitors. The introduction of immersive, themed experiences, such as the Speyside whisky tour, Angus Glens food and drink tour, and farm-based experiences has diversified the regional tourism offering. These tours highlight lesser known producers and locations, helping to spread visitor footfall more evenly and reduce pressure on high-traffic sites. The Market Day Cookery Class is another innovative addition, connecting visitors directly with local producers through farmers’ markets before transitioning into a hands-on culinary experience. This not only enhances visitor engagement but also promotes local supply chains and sustainable food practices. Collaboration has been central to these changes. By working with 12 local businesses, Bothies & Bannocks has created a joined-up visitor experience that benefits the wider community. This approach strengthens resilience within the rural economy and encourages repeat visitation. Finally, the business has embedded high standards of safety, quality and professionalism, including full licensing, first aid training and environmental health-approved catering. These measures ensure a consistently high-quality experience while building trust with visitors. Collectively, these changes demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to rural tourism that balances innovation with respect for local heritage.
Overcoming challenges
Operating a tourism business in rural Aberdeenshire presents distinct logistical and seasonal challenges, from dispersed locations and variable weather to limited public transport and fluctuating visitor demand. Bothies & Bannocks has addressed these challenges through innovation, flexibility and strong local partnerships. By developing a specialist transport and support service, the business has removed access barriers for visitors seeking outdoor and remote experiences, enabling safe and seamless travel across the region. Seasonality has been mitigated by diversifying the offering. Alongside traditional tours, the business has introduced year-round experiences such as cookery classes, farm visits and themed food and drink tours, ensuring consistent engagement beyond peak tourist months. This has helped sustain local supply chains and create reliable income streams for partner businesses. Another key challenge has been standing out in a competitive tourism market. Bothies & Bannocks has done so by focusing on authenticity and storytelling, drawing on Calum’s background in farming and professional cookery to create genuinely local experiences rather than generic tours. This approach resonates strongly with visitors seeking meaningful connections to place. The business has also prioritised safety and professionalism, investing in advanced driver training, first aid certification and full licensing, ensuring visitors feel secure when exploring rural and outdoor environments. Through adaptability, collaboration and a clear sense of identity, Bothies & Bannocks has successfully navigated the complexities of rural tourism while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.
