Horseback Riding Holidays in Scotland

Scotland, a small country with a diversity of landscapes, is a perfect destination for your next horseback riding adventure. Not only will you enjoy its mountains, lakes, and islands, but its castles will transport you to the past and you’ll discover its legends.

Scotland, the Land of Castles and Lakes

Scotland is located in the United Kingdom, occupying about a third of its territory, in the north of the large island of Great Britain.

It is one of the most charismatic places in the United Kingdom.

Shaped by centuries of struggle with their English neighbors, Scotland has survived all invasions, and its people have remained steadfast in their convictions and beliefs.

Since it was first inhabited, the Scots have had a deep affinity with the land, horses, and rural way of life.

Its main cities are Edinburgh, the capital, and Glasgow.

Geography

Scotland is a land of natural mountains, such as the Northwest Highlands and the Lowlands to the south and east, interspersed with glacial valleys and lakes.

Its territory also includes a large number of small islands, divided into the Shetland Islands and St. Kilda.

Mountains

We can divide its mountains into three clearly differentiated zones:

• Highlands: Formed by granite and sandstone mountains, characterized by pristine and wild nature.
• Central Lowlands: Formed by the valleys of three rivers: the Tay, the Forth, and the Clyde, located in central Scotland.
• Southern Uplands: In the southern part of Scotland, mainly consisting of hills and small elevations.

Mountains of Scotland

Lakes

Although Scotland occupies about a third of the island of Great Britain, it has much more water surface than the rest of the United Kingdom combined.

Scotland has 138 main lakes, the large ones, not counting the more than 600 smaller ones.

The west coast of Scotland is characterized by wide headlands separated by fjords and its famous lochs (freshwater lakes).

Some of these lakes are Loch Lomond (the largest in the UK), the famous Loch Ness, Loch Awe, Maree, and Morar.

You may not find the famous Loch Ness monster, but you can’t miss how the Scottish landscapes are reflected in the water like mirrors.

Castles

What to see in Scotland? Undoubtedly, its castles.

This is one of the first activities you should add to your list: visit these monumental buildings with centuries of history waiting to be revived by every visitor who comes to Scotland.

And, of course, doing it on horseback is the best way to feel like one of the powerful lords who owned them as their residence. No matter where you are, there will always be a castle nearby.

Drum Castle (Aberdeenshire)

You’ll discover the existence of ancient castles on small islets located in some of Scotland’s lakes.

As characteristic of the Scottish landscape as the crystal-clear lakes and rolling mountains, the country’s castles are among the most iconic in the world.

There are more than 3,000 castles, ranging from the simple and imposing towers of Hermitage and Smailholm to the beautiful fortresses with machicolations of Caerlaverock and Craigmillar.

Balmoral Castle

Equestrian Tourism in Scotland

A horseback riding holiday in Scotland is an excellent way to experience its culture and dreamlike landscapes up close. Relive its glorious battles on deserted coasts, beside misty lakes, or in its magical forests.

The famous Scottish Highlands, forests, rugged coasts, and deep, crystal-clear lakes should be discovered on horseback. Riding through the Scottish Highlands showcases the impressive rugged beauty that is Scotland’s identity.

You can ride along its beautiful beaches or be dazzled by the green of its meadows and the blue of its seas.

Here you’ll meet friendly people, learn about local clans and their stories, and visit medieval chapels that play an important role in Scotland’s history.

Scotland on horseback

Some Equestrian Tourism Providers in Scotland

The companies Scottish Equestrian Hotel and Highlands Unbridled offer various horseback riding routes in this country that we encourage you to discover.

Scottish Equestrian Hotel

The Scottish Equestrian Hotel is located in the countryside of central Scotland, just a 10-minute walk from the market town of Lanark.

It is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, and the landscape can look completely different depending on the season.

With more than 30 years of experience, they are the only equestrian center in Scotland with 5* and their own 4* B&B accommodation.

It is a multifunctional equestrian center certified by BHS and TRSS, offering practically everything you can imagine with horses: horseback riding holidays and leisure, rider training at all levels, trails, and school programs throughout the year.

Their equestrian facilities are simply unbeatable.

Riding lessons

Their horseback riding routes

Enjoy your equestrian tourism and hiking holidays while being amazed by the magnificent scenery in this area of Scotland. Their trails are legendary and offer incredible landscapes.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll have an all-inclusive service.

These horseback riding programs are ideal for anyone with at least a basic riding level. The pace varies with each route.

The routes run most of the year, and each season offers a wonderful variety of flora and color along the way. You’ll be surprised by the variety of wildlife you’ll encounter. Riding their trails will be memorable due to the wild life and beautiful scenery.

Horseback riding route Scotland

Don’t miss the “Castles Trail Ride” route.

It’s a weekly program. The first two nights you’ll stay at the Scottish Equestrian Hotel, with the first day’s picnic at Lanark Castle and Corra Castle, near the famous Clyde Falls.

The first day is to get familiar with your horse and meet your new riding companions.

The other nights you’ll stay in inns and castles, most with spas so you can relieve the aches of a long day in the saddle.

All meals and luggage transfers are included in the package. Drinks are paid for by each guest.

Guests return to the Center on Friday night to enjoy a final meal at the Stables Bistro and a good night’s sleep before departing on Saturday morning.

All their staff hold British Equestrian Tourism Certificates.

Castles Trail

For more information, visit their website: scottishequestrianhotel.com.

Highlands Unbridled

This riding center is located in Tain, a bustling town in the Scottish Highlands, with a population of around 4,000 people.

They are surrounded by beach, forest, and beautiful farmland, and their riding area is in the driest part of Scotland.

They offer 13 riding programs that cover all of Scotland.

They go from coast to coast. The beaches in Scotland are incredible settings for galloping, and the country’s interior, full of green, forests, and mountains, has everything for the perfect route.

Galloping on the beach

Their long-distance routes cover many kilometers daily on horseback, going up and down hills over rough terrain, so you must be able to ride balanced and safely in these conditions.

The health and well-being of their horses is always a priority, and due to the long days in the saddle, they require all riders to be competent at trotting and galloping.

You’ll cross rivers and gallop along beaches. You may have to jump small natural obstacles, such as ditches or fallen trees—nothing too big, but you must be able to control a horse even at high speed.

Scotland horseback route

It’s also important that you’re used to leading a horse over difficult terrain, as there may be times when this is necessary.

The first half-day of your horseback route will be an assessment of your riding ability: to see if you can perform simple tasks such as walking, trotting, and galloping, as well as stopping, steering, and dismounting. If at any time during the trip assessment you are not considered fit to travel, your guide may ask you to leave the trip.

Riders must be over 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 12, and the same riding skill level described above applies.

Regarding weight, and due to the tough nature of the days and the distances covered per day, they have a maximum weight limit of 105 kg.

Keep in mind that you’ll visit some incredibly beautiful and unspoiled areas of Scotland where you may not have mobile phone coverage.

Caring for the horses

Another interesting program is the Horse Care Holidays, 7 nights and 6 days of accommodation with them. It’s a chance to have a real hands-on experience, spending all day enjoying the company of horses and learning from those who have been doing this rewarding work for years.

To learn about them, their routes, their people, and their horses, visit their website: highlandsunbridled.com.

Scotland

Scotland, the land of castles, offers you incredible routes among mountains, green valleys, and majestic cliffs. Immerse yourself in its legends and history by visiting its castles. And don’t miss discovering its open beaches for galloping freely and enjoying its gastronomy.