Trail Riding Holidays in the Highlands
Would you like to spend your vacation riding a horse from coast to coast across Scotland? We offer the only true coast to coast horseback trail ride in the UK! Not only that, but we have four different ways to do it - the one week coast to coast, the one week seaside special taking in the East, North and West coast, with beach rides on all three, the coast to coast express, taking the most direct south route, and the longest ride of all - a 250 mile plus ride from the East to the beautiful beaches of the North coast, through the stunning scenery of the wild West coast, riding out on a huge and snaking loop, that brings us back eventually to the wide sandy beaches of the East.
The Longest Trail Ride in the UK!
We will follow the route of the Seaside Special, taking in all three coasts of Scotland, then return via the coast to coast express route. This ride will be over 250 miles long, and will take 2 weeks - it is not for the faint hearted! Loads of beach rides, stunning scenery travelling through some of the wildest country in the UK. Subject to space availability, It may be possible to join this ride for the ride East only, or to join on the West coast for the return journey only - please phone for availability. We try to time this ride so that we can offer an excursion to the Durness Highland Games on one of the ponies rest days, but this is not always possible every year as our departure date is dictated by the tides.
Coast to Coast Trail Ride - Northern Route
7 days riding, 6 nights accommodation
Day One
All riders make their way to the yard, where we have a ride breifing and meet the horses. Starting in the early afternoon with a shortish section (well, 10 miles actually) to break us all into the saddle gently, we start with a beach ride along the wide sandy beach at Brora, where the ponies can let off some steam, we head North along the beautiful East coast beaches for several miles. We then stop for the night, to get a good nights sleep before the longer section tomorrow.
Day Two
We start early, heading inland along tiny single track roads and over the hills, then follow the winding river along the Strath of Kildonan - goldrush country, to our accomodation for the night in the most remote hotel in mainland Britain.
Day Three
We follow estate tracks and stalkers trails in big sky country, crossing streams and jumping ditches alongside remote lochs. Leaving the lochs behind, we climb a steep pass dropping to an old peat track - the only safe way through the wide flat bog stewn landscape before us. From here we will see our hotel for the night - a tiny white speck in the distance!
Day Four
A shorter day to give both the ponies and us a bit of a rest after the long rides on the previous two days. We head North again, passing through wild beautiful scenery beneath Ben Klibreck to Altnaharra.. On this day there may be the option to travel to the nearest village to stock up on essentials.
Day Five
Sees us heading West again, first following a tiny single track road, to link us to an estate road and stalkers path winding high through the majestic hills of the Reay forest estate. Our descent beside Arkle, gives us our first glimpse of the West coast in the distance. We will leave our ponies at the end of the trail, and head to our lochside hotel for the night.
Day Six
We collect our ponies and head over the hills on a high stalkers path with fantastic views of the iconic mountains of the area (weather permitting!). Dropping eventually to the sea lochs of the West Coast we wind our way along the stalkers trails that hug the shore, overlooking Loch Glendhu and Loch Glencoul.
Day Seven
We ride on crossing the high arch or Kylesku Bridge then onto the tiny twisting West coast road that hugs the shoreline beneath Quinag, visiting tiny crofting villages strung out along this spectacular coast, backed by a landscape studded with tiny lochans. Tides permitting, we will finish with a final gallop on the beach. After turning the horses out we will return to the stables in Brora, arriving approximately 8.30-9.00pm
Coast to Coast Trail Ride - Southern Route
6 days riding, 5 nights accomodation
Day One
We meet at the stables in Brora at 10.30am for a ride briefing then travel to the West coast to start our ride just after lunchtime. We leave the beaches of the West Coast, heading South for a few kilometres on a short ride (to get us used to the horses) that hugs the rocky coastline with reaching views of the iconic mountains of the area, descending to the village of Lochinver for the night.
Day Two
We ride East following estate tracks and stalkers paths beneath Canisp and Suilven through the stunning scenery of Assynt. If the weather is good we may ride high up onto the shoulder of Canisp - eagle territory, with fantastic views in all directions before reaching our lochside accommodation.
Day Three
Sees us riding through moor and forest, with some much faster riding today,arriving on the banks of the famous salmon river, the River Oykel, watching for otters and following it to our hotel for the night.
Day Four
We continue to follow the Oykel, and then head into the forest and then onto a remote track through the hills, before emerging at Ardgay. We follow the main road for about a mile, crossing the arch of Bonar Bridge and spending the night in the village. The best day for spotting herds of red deer.
Day Five
Leaving Bonar Bridge, we ride over the hill and through the forest and on past Loch Migdale where we sometimes see Ospreys. Crossing the river we take an old farm track that winds along the river side and around the shoulder of the hill, taking us to our accommodation in the crofting community of Rogart.
Day Six
The final day! Leaving Rogart, we head over the hills with views reaching to the Cairngorms in the East, the hills of the West coast behind us and the high hills of Wester Ross to the South. Descending for a gallop on the long sandy beaches of Golspie, passing beneath the fairytale castle of Dunrobin and back to Brora for a final blast on the sand. We should arrive back at the stables at approximately 6pm.
Seaside Special - 3 Coast Trail Ride
We follow the route of the Coast to Coast trail for the first three days, then head for the stunning wide sandy beaches of the North coast. From here we will travel across country over the hills and along tiny roads and tracks to the West coast. As always, we will finish with a beach ride! It may be possible to spend an additional night camping at remote and beautiful Sandwood Bay, the most North Westerly beach in mainland UK.
This will be an add-on - details to be confirmed nearer the time. Please phone for details.
East Sutherland Petal Rides
We offer Two or three day breaks in picturesque East Sutherland, where we ride out each day for a full days picnic ride, and return to the same accomodation each night.
The petal rides are different each day. One day we might climb high up into the hills, enjoying stunning views spanning several counties - on a clear day we can see the Grampian mountains across the Moray Firth and several of the iconic Highland peaks far to the North and West. Another day we might travel to remote tranquil lochs, and of course, we will always fit in a good beach ride wherever possible! Situated as we are next to the beach in Brora, we are lucky enough to have beautiful sandy beaches stretching away to the North and South.
Daily Picnic Rides
For those in the area on holiday already, we offer full day picnic rides daily.
The routes are the same as the petal rides - hills, lochs and beaches, although they vary each day, so it is worth checking if you want to do a specific trail.
You need to bring your own picnic on these, as we only provide picnics where accomodation is booked by us.
We can cater for novice riders on certain days of the week - please phone for availability. Booking essential!
Evening Barbeque Rides
We also offer barbeque rides subject to weather conditions most weeks. Booking is essential. We can generally cater for most levels of rider on certain days of the week - please phone for availability. We either ride to beach or lochside locations, where we will set up the barbeque.
Camping Trips
We can offer horseback camping trips from 1 - 3 days or longer by special arrangement.
These rides are tailored to ability and requirements, so please phone for more information.
Winter Breaks
Looking for something to brighten those long winter days - why not join us on a winter break. We have a Horsey Hogmanay, great working holidays and Short breaks available. See our winter breaks page for details.
