What began as a transplant of an American childhood tradition has grown into a significant autumnal attraction in Scotland. Cameron Laird, originally from California, introduced pumpkin-picking to her husband John's farm in Fife 28 years ago, a concept that was virtually unknown in Scotland at the time.
Laird recalled the abundance of pumpkin farms near her California home and sought to recreate that experience in her new Scottish home. "I have such fond memories," she told BBC Scotland News. "I grew up in California and over the hills from us to a place called Half Moon Bay, there must have been 10 or 15 pumpkin farms."
Initially, her husband's family farm, Cairnie Fruit Farm, focused on traditional Scottish produce like strawberries and brambles. However, Laird's suggestion to diversify into pumpkins proved to be a transformative idea. "It was a very vivid part of my childhood and I thought, 'oh, we should do this. We're on a farm, and let's give it a go'," she explained.
Despite Scotland's cooler and wetter climate compared to California, the pumpkin patch at Cairnie Fruit Farm has become a resounding success. It now cultivates 20,000 pumpkins annually, attracting thousands of visitors. This growth represents a broader trend among farmers to create