Life-affirming, scary and a great way to see Scotland, horse riding is trot stuff!
Exploring Scotland on horseback is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of our stunning country.
Riding is a wonderful way to travel – you view the landscape from an elevated position and, when you’re ambling along at a steady pace, it’s extremely relaxing.
It can also be a huge adrenaline rush – imagine galloping along silky beaches, trotting up heathery hills and fording crystal-clear burns, and pausing to gaze as herds of deer cross, bold as brass, right in front of you.
I’ve been lucky enough to have enjoyed a lifetime full of horsey adventures, starting off on my cheeky chestnut Shetland pony, Tansy, when I was about seven years old.
Since then, I’ve experienced some pretty epic expeditions through the Cairngorms – definitely not for the faint-hearted!
I’ll never forget the year we rode through Glen Feshie when the rivers were in spate – starting in Braemar, picnicking in bothies along the way, staying overnight at Kincraig, and retracing our steps the following day.
It was around 45km (28 miles) each way, through a combination of bog, heather and Land Rover track. Things got a bit hairy when we discovered a steep section, on the banks of a river, had been completely eroded.
We made our way gingerly up the scree-clad slopes of the hillside in a desperate bid to continue our journey – and to prevent us from having to turn back. Scary, but life-affirming!
Another big adventure saw us taking on Glen Tilt, setting off from Braemar and stopping overnight in Blair Atholl – 40km (25 miles) on each leg of the journey.
I had a break from all things equestrian in my late teens when I moved to Glasgow and, to be honest, when I was more interested in boys and music.
But my passion for horses was reignited a few years ago when my mum and I booked a week in an idyllic cottage near Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, and rented a nice grassy field for our horses at Glen Tanar.
Most days, we’d take them out for a wee wander along the river, through the woods and up into the hills to enjoy spectacular views of the glen and explore the ancient Caledonian pine forest.
Closer to where I keep my horse in Aberdeenshire, a favourite place to ride is
Balmedie Beach, which has a designated car park for lorries and trailers.
Other top local hacks include Haddo Estate – though you need a special horse-riding permit – as well as a dedicated farm ride at Ardmedden, near Oldmeldrum, and off-road riding tracks at Southside Farm, Inverurie.
Remember, if you’re a horse-riding novice, lessons are essential. Most of us live within driving distance of a riding school, so you’ll be trotting along in no time!
Top tip: It’s a good idea to ease into riding slowly – your backside will thank you