Horseback Riding in Scotland
THE HIGHLAND TRAIL |
|
Scotland, land of myths, tales and ballads is one of the United Kingdom’s most charismatic locations. The Scotts have always been fiercely loyal and have managed to maintain a unique cultural identity, and even today many still relate strongly to their clanship roots. Much of Scotland is rural, exemplified by wild, beautiful mountain peaks and deep glassy lakes. Experiencing this land on horseback is a superb way to come face to face with the Scottish culture and landscape. Meet friendly locals, learn about the clans, and visit medieval chapels which hold an important historical role.
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Saturday
Transfer from Aberdeen or Iverness to your accommodations for dinner and overnight. During the week you will be staying at the cozy guesthouse in the village of Tomintoul which is the highest village in the Scottish Highlands (1,165ft), situated in the south part of Moray on the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains. |
| Day 2: | Sunday
After meeting at St Bridget Farm, you will be introduced to the horses and discuss the weeks program. You will then be assessed in the outdoor riding arena and matched to the most suitable horse. Leave Tomintoul riding along the old military road to Glenmulliach Forest. After a picnic lunch follow forestry tracks and start climbing before opening out onto moorland towards the summit of Breac Leathad. Here the panorama shows most of the area covered during the rest of the week, with dramatic views of the Cairngorm mountains. You descend through the forest back to Tomintoul. |
| Day 3: | Monday
Today the route takes you through farm and woodland before descending to cross the river Avon (pronounced A’an). Ride through forestry, past Kilnadrochit Lodge into Glen Brown. This valley was in the past well populated, despite its isolation, but now all that remains of the community are the deserted ruins of once thriving crofts. Leaving Glen Brown, cross the main Tomintoul-Grantown road and stop for lunch at the Bridge of Brown Tearoom. After lunch enter Glen Lochy, riding along the water in this extremely peaceful valley where birdsong and the river flow are the only sounds. Leaving Glen Lochy follow the Avon valley before returning to Tomintoul via hill and forest tracks. |
| Day 4: | Tuesday
Today set out north of Tomintoul, following the Speyside Way, riding through upland farmland and over open moor. Weather permitting, the route takes in the summit of Cairn Daimh, (Hill of the Stags) at 1,866 ft. above sea level. This magnificent if somewhat exposed viewpoint provides a 360 degree panorama of the Tomintoul and Glenlivet area and beyond. The descent takes you into Glenlivet, home of the world famous “The Glenlivet” malt whisky. Arrive at the distillery for lunch and if time is available for a guided tour and sampling of the product (in moderation please!). Suitably refreshed, your return takes you over the shoulder of Carn Liath and through forestry plantations to return to Tomintoul along the Conglass valley. |
| Day 5: | Wednesday
Leave the village through farmland and pine forest, with the opportunity to see Fallow deer, Soay sheep (a rare semi-wild Scottish breed) and sometimes reindeer which are farmed in this deserted glen. Descend through birch woods to the River Avon where you stop for a picnic lunch by the waters edge. After lunch climb a secluded heather covered valley. Here are remnants of ancient Caledonian pine forest, and to the north, the spectacular views over lower Avonside open to the less rugged farmland of the Spey valley. Descend through pine woods and return to Tomintoul along the Conglass valley. |
| Day 6: | Thursday
Today’s route takes you east out of the village with long canters through pine forests emerging into the Braes of Glenlivet. Ride on through farmland to a secluded valley where many of the farms and crofts are now deserted, over moorland, and descend through birch woods towards Tomnavoulin. After a picnic lunch ride through farmland and pine woods to the shoulder of Cairn Ellick where a spectacular view of Tomintoul and the Cairngorm Mountains unfolds. Descent over moorland and farmland and follows the Conglass valley back to Tomintoul. |
| Day 7: | Friday
Ride out of Tomintoul past Glenmulliach forest before climbing over open moorland and descending into the hill-farming area of the Braes of Glenlivet. Stop for a picnic lunch at the Scalan - from 1717-1799 this was a college for training Roman Catholic priests, and played a vital role in keeping the traditional Catholic faith alive in northern Scotland. The present house dates back to 1767. Your return route takes you past the Braes of Glenlivet distillery, through farmland and forest tracks with fine views over Tomintoul with the backdrop of the Cairngorms on our descent to the village. |
| Day 8: | Saturday
After breakfast transfer to your departure point. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Tomintoul |
| Length of Ride | 8 days, 7 nights and 6 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-8 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-6 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | English |
| Horses | Thoroughbred crosses and Highland Ponies |
| Weight Limit | 210lbs |
| 2012 Dates | May 12-19, May 26-June 2, June 9-16, June 23-30, July 7-14, July 22-29 (Sun to Sun), Aug 4-11, Aug 18-25, Sept 1-8, Sept 15-22, Sept 29 - Oct 6 |
| 2012 Price | $1,680 |
| Single Supplement | $225 |
| Transfers | available by local taxi from Aberdeen or Inverness |
|
|
|
|
