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Horse Riding in Scotland

Horse riding has an enthusiastic following in Scotland and facilities are very good. A good range of hacking options and riding trails in some cases signposted are available. Both the Scottish Borders and Galloway are particularly well-resourced areas, with especially strong heritage and traditions which find expression in the long-established Common Ridings held annually throughout the south of Scotland.

However, many other parts of Scotland are also ideal for horse riding. Throughout Scotland, there are BHS approved riding centres, training centres and equestrian schools, with Gleneagles described as ‘one of the best equipped in the world’, though only one of several. It is also easy to find accommodation if you take your horse on holiday, through the ‘Horses Welcome’ quality assurance scheme. There are even ‘equestrian hotels’. Scotland also has the space and the landscape to offer long-distance trekking for dedicated riders.

Scotland is also the home of native breeds such as the Highland and Eriskay ponies and it is said that the pastime of pony-trekking was first introduced on Speyside, as a way of using the native ponies outside the deerstalking season.

From an afternoon’s gentle hack to a full-scale expedition, Scotland is ideal for horse riding.