The Kings Foundation Ticket Portal

Join us on Valentin's Farm, where we have a range of workshops available, working with pupils right through Primary school and into early Secondary stage. Our day visit programme for schools is offered on a seasonal cycle with opportunities to spend time with the various animals including cows, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, hens and pigs.

Available Workshops for Autumn/Winter 2025:

Farming Champions - All primary stages -  10am -2pm

In 'Farm to Fork', learners will embark on a farm tour to meet all of our animals, with particular focus on where our food comes from. After discovering some excellent facts about different animals on the farm, learners will get a special opportunity to get up close and meet some of our residents, whilst learning about their produce.  PLEASE NOTE: For LATE Primary stage, this is a full day workshop. For early primary, this is a half day workshop with free time on the estate...spend some time at the playpark or ask our staff for some self-led activity sheets to keep everyone occupied. Please be sure to choose the correct ticket at time of booking. 

Farming Footprints - Suitable for all primary stages - Full Day Workshop - 10am -2pm

In ‘Woolly Workshop’, learners will meet our different breeds of sheep and discover briliant facts about them and the wool they produce. They will be given the opportunity to learn where wool comes from and about the annual production of wool, from farm to fibre. Learners will begin to understand the process of making yarn and linking this to the clothes we wear and how diverse a product wool actually is. They will then be given the opportunity to experiment with wool in a variety of different crafts. Please be sure to choose the correct ticket at time of booking. (Early/Late Primary)

The Journey of our Food - Suitable for P1-3 - Half Day Workshop with Estate Time - 10am - 2pm

In 'Cream of the Crop" learners can experience the wholesome charm of country life, with a hands-on workshop at Valentin's Farm. After an engaging farm tour meeting our rare breed animals, learners can even try their hand at milking our very own 'in-house' cow, 'Rosie'. A memorable experience that connects them directly to the source of their food. Then roll up your sleeves and take part in the age-old art of butter making, straight from fresh cream. It's a full circle experience from pasture to plate. For the other half of your day the Estate is yours...spend some time at the playpark or ask our staff for some self-led activity sheets to keep everyone occupied. 

Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King's Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.

COSTS
Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will receive an invoice from The King's Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed.. 

Our education team at the MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre here on Dumfries House Estate have fantastic and unique workshops to offer secondary pupils aged 14+ and covering many curricular areas. Working with our team in our state-of-the-art teaching facility, pupils will be introduced to a range of farming skills and knowledge through hands-on and close-up practice. Don't worry… we provide the wellies! Workshops which are currently available can be found below.

The Business of Farming - Full day workshop - age 14+ only

Can you identify stakeholders who have interest and influence in agribusiness. In this session we'll build a toolkit of business management techniques including primary business analysis, SWOT, how to scope the external and internal environment, sources of finance, basic budgeting techniques and finding the appropriate software to match legislative requirements and your business needs.

Lens on the Land: A Farming and Photography Experience - Full day workshop.

A creative workshop for SQA NPA or Higher photography students. Discover the real world of farming through your lens in this immersive photography workshop. Explore our working farm and rural skills centre, capturing the textures, tones, and stories of agricultural life—from moving machinery to quiet moments with animals and landscapes. Ideal for portfolio work or project inspiration, with the option to return for focused follow-up sessions.

Words for the Land: English through Agriculture and Rural Life - Half day workshop - age 14+ only

Explore the beauty and complexity of rural Scotland through a real-world farm visit. A workshop blending language skills with hands-on agricultural experiences to inspire powerful discussions and writing. This workshop runs from 10am until 12pm , or from 12pm until 2pm, whichever suits you better. Please contact us to confirm your preferred timings after making your booking.

Practical Farming: Animal Husbandry - Full Day Workshop - age 14+ only

In this workshop, pupils will be able to engage in a hands-on, unique learning experience in our state-of-the-art education facility at The MacRobert Farming and Rural Skills Centre, here on Dumfries House Estate. Pupils will be introduced to animal husbandry and will learn how to care for livestock. Pupils will work with our livestock to gain an insight into some of the skills and knowledge required for farming, in our education byre, with the unique experience of placing animals through a modern livestock handling system. 

Fields of expression - Full Day Workshop - age 14+ only

In this session, young artists are invited to explore the beauty of rural life through a creative lens. Led by local artists, this hands-on workshop blends artwork and expression with a guided farm tour. Students will discover inspiration in our livestock sheds and in our fields, capturing scenes from the working farm in their own unique artistic style. A perfect fusion of art and agriculture—encouraging observation, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the countryside.

If you require any further information on our Rural Skills workshops before booking, please contact us at farm.education@kings-foundation.org

In these workshops your time will be split between Valentin's Education Farm and the Pierburg Kauffman Education Garden. Here we teach how growing plants and caring for animals are closely linked — and how both play a vital role in supporting our planet. These engaging sessions explore everything from growing fruit and vegetables in the garden to looking after farm animals, helping students understand where their food comes from and how farmers and gardeners alike, work with nature.

Countryside Clocks - Early Primary Stage - Full Day Workshop

Designed for Early Primary learners, this full-day workshop at Dumfries House takes place across Valentin’s Farm and our Education Garden, exploring how nature tells the time. On the farm, pupils will meet the animals and discover how their senses help them detect the time of day, changes in weather, and shifts in the seasons—without using a clock! Through observation and interaction, children will explore how these cues shape animal behaviour. In the garden, learners will look for signs of the current season and get hands-on with the tasks that keep our fruit and vegetable beds thriving throughout the year. It’s a playful and practical day of seasonal discovery—perfect for curious young minds.

Cream of the Crop - Late Primary Stage - Full Day Workshop

Give your pupils a real taste of the countryside in this hands-on workshop. After a fun and informative tour to meet our rare breed animals, learners can try milking our life-size ‘in-house’ cow, Rosie—getting up close to the source of their food. They’ll then try their hand at traditional butter making, using fresh cream to churn their own spread the old-fashioned way. The experience continues in our garden, where pupils will explore how food grows and the journey it takes to reach our plates. To top it all off, they’ll bake their own scones to enjoy with their handmade butter—for a full-circle experience from pasture to plate.

Nothing Goes to Waste - Early Secondary Stage - Full Day Workshop

How much of our food actually makes it to our plates? In this thought-provoking workshop for S1–S2, pupils will explore the journey food takes through our system—and why around a third of it never gets eaten. Through hands-on activities in our vegetable garden and on the farm, learners will investigate the causes of food waste and discover practical ways to reduce it. Along the way, they’ll develop skills in sustainable growing, food handling, and waste management. With strong links to sustainability, agriculture, and food and health, this workshop supports the BGE phase of the Curriculum for Excellence and encourages pupils to think critically about the impact of their choices.

Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King's Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.

COSTS: Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will receive an invoice from The King's Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed. Workshops for Secondary schools are free. 

"Spooktacular" Halloween Adventure - Suitable for all Primary Stages - Full Day Workshop 10am-2pm

Come to Valentin's Farm this Hallowe'en for Farmyard Frights and Scarecrow Delights. A frightfully fun day full of farmyard magic! Pupils are invited to come dressed in their favourite Hallowe'en costumes and meet our animal friends on a guided tour packed with baa-rilliant facts and moo-rvellous discoveries. Then it’s time to get curious and creative with our farmyard scavenger hunt—gather hidden items to help bring your very own scarecrow to life! This playful, hands-on workshop blends seasonal excitement with outdoor learning—and just a hint of spooky sparkle.

Our school education workshops support the delivery of The Curriculum for Excellence, and many of our activities are based outdoors on our 2000 acre estate, making use of our natural spaces to inspire learning. The King's Foundation works in harmony with the natural world, and as such our workshops also touch upon the UN Sustainable Development goals and support learning for sustainability.

COSTS
Workshops for Primary schools are charged at £5.50 per head, based on numbers provided at point of booking. Secondary school workshops are free. You will receive an invoice from The King's Foundation via email once your booking is confirmed.. 

24th July 2025

10am until 1pm

Suitable for: Children aged 11-16 years

Cost: £22.50 

Step into the heart of rural life with Junior Lens on the Land: A Farming and Photography Experience. This unique experience invites you to explore the working world of farming and agriculture through the camera lens. Spend the day at our farming and rural skills centre, engaging with real agricultural environments, capturing the textures, tones, and rhythms of farming life. From machinery in motion to quiet moments with animals and landscapes, you’ll gather authentic visual inspiration to fuel your creative mind. 

6th August 2025

10am until 1pm

Suitable for: Adults 18+

Cost: £32.50

Step into the heart of rural life with Lens on the Land: A Farming and Photography Experience. This unique experience invites you to explore the working world of farming and agriculture through the camera lens. Spend the day at our farming and rural skills centre, engaging with real agricultural environments, capturing the textures, tones, and rhythms of farming life. From machinery in motion to quiet moments with animals and landscapes, you’ll gather authentic visual inspiration to fuel your creative mind. 

16th July 2025

10am until 1pm

Suitable for: Family day - one adult and one child. 

Cost: £48.50 per family ticket.

Discover the art of rural life in this creative, hands-on workshop for families.
Guided by local artists, each adult-and-child pair will be given a special tour of our farm — meeting the animals, exploring the yards, and soaking up the atmosphere of countryside life. Then, inspired by what they’ve seen, participants will get creative with sketching, painting, and expressive techniques to capture their favourite farm scenes. Blending outdoor exploration with artistic expression, this relaxed and inspiring session is a unique way to connect through both nature and creativity.

30th July 2025

10am until 1pm

Suitable for: Adults 18+

Cost: £32.50

Thinking about keeping chickens? Start here!
Whether you're dreaming of fresh eggs every morning, want to live more sustainably, or just love the idea of chickens pottering around your garden, this fun and practical workshop is the perfect place to begin. Join our friendly Farm Education Team at Dumfries House for a relaxed but information-packed session that will leave you feeling confident and inspired to start your own backyard flock.

What we’ll cover:

• Choosing the right breeds for your lifestyle
• Setting up a safe and comfortable coop
• Daily routines – feeding, watering, and egg collecting
• Seasonal care and understanding chicken behaviour
• Spotting signs of illness and keeping your hens healthy
• Legal bits and practical tips for keeping poultry at home

You’ll enjoy a mix of lively presentation, open discussion, and hands-on demos (subject to biosecurity guidelines), all set on our beautiful farm. No prior experience needed – just curiosity, enthusiasm, and maybe a soft spot for feathery friends!

23rd July 2025

10am until 1pm

Suitable for: Family day - one adult and one child. 

Cost: £22.50 per child

Discover the art of rural life in this creative, hands-on workshop for families.
Guided by local artists, children will be given a special tour of our farm — meeting the animals, exploring the yards, and soaking up the atmosphere of rural life. Then, inspired by what they’ve seen, participants will get creative with sketching, painting, and expressive techniques to capture their favourite farm scenes. Blending outdoor exploration with artistic expression, this relaxed and inspiring session is a unique way to connect through both nature and creativity.