2 days Ago By Paige Beresford
A POPULAR Scottish family attraction is on the brink of closing for good after nearly 50 years. Lamont Farm is a much-loved project located on Barrhill Road in Erskine, Renfrewshire, that was founded in 1977. 1 Lamont Farm Project is on the verge of shutting for good Credit: GOOGLE MAPS At the time, a group of locals who had a "strong desire to establish a local education and community facility" came together and opened the farm.
It quickly became a stalwart of the community and is frequented by animal lovers, families and visitors alike. However, over the years, the beloved farm has run into financial difficulties. It nearly closed back in 2023 after "astronomical bills " took a toll after the coronavirus pandemic .
READ MORE IN MONEY CLOSING DOWN 'Treasure trove' shop in Scots town to shut as huge closing down sale launched ARE BREW KIDDING Much loved beer company giving away 5,000 cans at busy Scots train station Bosses quickly launched a fundraiser to raise money , and the community banded together to raise enough cash to keep it afloat. But Lamont Farm Project has run into more difficulties two years later, and bosses are once again calling for people to help. The team have warned that the " future of the farm is in serious jeopardy", adding that it "won't be able to stay open for much longer" without vital cash.
They have now taken to social media and urged the community to come together again to save the attraction, explaining that it costs around £50,000 a year to stay open. Most read in Money SPICE OF LIFE Scotland's best Indian restaurant crowned - see all the winners in your area RICHES TO RAGS Scotland's abandoned attractions - from creepy theme parks to golf course DOUGH NO! 'You have the best pies in town', cry gutted fans as Scots bakery shuts for good SHOP SHUT Morrisons shuts two Scottish stores TODAY amid major shake-up A post on Lamont Farm Project's Facebook page reads: "It’s with a heavy heart that we are pleading for your help once again. "In 2023, you all rallied round and helped to save the farm, we really couldn’t believe it and we’re hoping that we still have that support.
What is Modere and why did it close down? "Without help, the future of the farm is in serious jeopardy and we won’t be able to stay open for much longer. "The footfall is down just now, leading to a dramatic decrease in donations. "We are applying for grants wherever we can and running fundraisers but unfortunately, it’s not bringing in anything near what we need to keep the farm up and running.
"Costs are high, higher than they’ve ever been, and donations are low. "It costs around £50,000 per year to keep the farm afloat and that’s with everyone being volunteers. "We don’t have any wages to cover but the cost of animal feeds, bedding, vet bills, insurance , electricity, gas.
.. well, you can imagine it all mounts up quickly.
"We have so many elderly animals here now, and we worry about how they would cope if we had to close. "Jack is now 34, the donkeys are in their late 20s, Gizmo is in her teens, the llamas are now wee old ladies. "For these and the rest of the animals, the farm is their safe place, and it would be heartbreaking for it to be ripped away from them.
"So please help if you can, we don’t want this spring to be the last of Lamont Farm. "Any donations, no matter how large or small, can make a massive difference and will be so gratefully received. GoFundMe page THE team at Lamont Farm Project have also shared a link to a fundraiser it has launched in a bid to drum up more support.
The GoFundMe page reads: "Lamont Farm still houses over 40 animals ranging from small pets such as rabbits and Guinea pigs to larger farm animals and even llamas! "99% of the animals are rescued and retired and have found refuge here at the farm, a place to live out the rest of their lives in safety. "Please help us to keep Lamont Farm alive to ensure they always have a safe home for the remainder of their lives". So far, the page has raised a total of £4,151 - which is 64% of its target of £6,500.
Anyone looking to donate to the fundraiser can do so here . "We hope that the community hasn’t outgrown the farm and that we are still able to be a valuable part of it." Dozens of users have flocked to the comments and promised to help, also encouraging others to do so.
One person said: "C’mon big business’s support this fabulous farm - we can’t let it go under." Another added: "We need to visit here and help these souls." Someone else wrote: "Donated and will share.
We had a lovely visit last year. Hopefully, we'll visit again soon. Good luck with your fundraising !" Read more on the Scottish Sun TRYING TIMES Firm behind popular Scots supermarket chain reveals jobs to be axed ROAD TO NOWHERE World's first hydrogen buses off road for nearly a YEAR as fuel runs out While a fourth posted: "I’ll share far and wide Lamont Farm Project and continue with my monthly donation.
We can do this!" And a fifth chimed in: "Donated and shared, thanks to all of you at Lamont"..
