Pumpkin Picking at Jamieson's Farm Shop

Fifth years are a good sign at a pumpkin patch, and Jamieson's has been doing this long enough to have worked out what families want from the hour and a half they are there. Tickets are sold one per car or family rather than per person, which is unusual and worth knowing if you are bringing a big group or splitting across two vehicles.

What the ticket buys is 1.5 hours of access to everything indoors and out. The farm says there are thousands of pumpkins in a variety of sizes and colours to choose between, and alongside them a neep patch, so children can pull turnips too if they want something different to carry home. The pumpkins themselves are not included in the ticket and are bought separately once you have chosen.

The activities fill the rest of the time. There is a pumpkin carving station, potion making, broomstick flying and a colouring station, plus farm animals to meet and photo opportunities set up around the site. Having indoor activities matters in Aberdeen in October, and it means a wet morning does not end the visit early.

Two practical things before you go. Booking runs through Eventbrite and the organiser states there are no refunds, so pick your slot carefully. Well behaved dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on a lead at all times.

Outside the pumpkin season the farm shop itself opens every Sunday from 10am to 2pm, which is useful to know if you want to come back for something other than a pumpkin.