Horse Riding & Pony Trekking in Scotland

Explore wild and otherworldly landscapes on a trek, hack or horse riding holiday in Scotland and make memories that will last a lifetime. Horse riding is popular in Scotland and there are stables and riding providers based all around the country where you can book a leisurely trek, an exciting hack or a professional lesson. You could even choose from the range of multi-day horse riding holidays in Scotland and learn all there is to know about caring for these intelligent and gorgeous animals.

Horse Riding Holidays

Horse care holidays

Get to grips with the day-to-day duties involved in looking after horses, from grooming and tacking up to riding out on hacks. Some great horse care holiday providers include the Scottish Equestrian Hotel, near Lanark, the Crieff Hydro Riding Centre, Crieff, and Gairloch Trekking Centre, Gairloch.

Trail riding

Explore Scotland's glens, countryside and wind-blown beaches on a long-distance riding holiday over several days. There are a variety of stables that offer this type of holiday including Highlands Unbridled, Tain, Wilder Ways Riding Adventures, Argyll, Tomintoul Riding Centre, Ballindalloch, and Newtonmore Riding Centre, Newtonmore.

Bring your own horse

Take your horse on holiday to Scotland and explore a gorgeous new environment together. We guarantee both you and your horse will love it!

Places to go horse riding in Scotland

See Scotland from the saddle on a hack in the countryside. There are plenty of stables and equestrian centres in Scotland that offer hacks and treks in the countryside, ranging from 30 minute tasters and children’s introductory sessions to half and full day hacks. Check out these six horse riding providers for inspiration:

Wilder Ways, Strachur

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Explore the untamed beauty of Argyll on a full or half day trek or a multi-day horse riding holiday with Wilder Ways. Explore the beautiful Knoydart peninsula with your sure-footed horse and experience the sense of adventure that comes from exploring off road paths and hidden places.

Uist Community Riding School, Benbecula

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When it comes to breath-taking views the beautiful Outer Hebridean island of Benbecula takes some beating. Located beside Benbecula Airport – which famously uses Traigh Mhor beach as its landing stirp – the Uist Community Riding School offers lessons, hacks and beach rides.

Barbarafield Riding School, near Cupar

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Set amidst rolling farmland near Cupar in Fife, Barbarafield Riding School offers over 300 acres to explore on an action-packed hack in the countryside. Beginners can spend longer mastering walk and trot while more experienced riders go for a canter.

Mains of Taymouth Stables, Kenmore

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Located at the north eastern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire, Mains of Taymouth Stables is located on a 120 acre estate with access to a huge network of forest tracks. Explore the countryside and enjoy the forest, loch and mountain views from horseback.

Alvie Stables, near Aviemore

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Take in views of the majestic Cairngorms National Park and the Spey Valley on a hack around the Alvie Estate. Go on a hillside or woodland ride with Alvie Stables and look out for views of Loch Alvie as well as wildlife such as red squirrels, buzzards and rabbits.

Blackstone Clydesdales, near Cumnock

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Experience the feeling of riding a beautiful Clydesdale horse with Blackstone Clydesdales in Ayrshire. These heavy horses are native to Scotland and originate in the area that is now known as Lanarkshire, to the south east of Glasgow. At between 16 to 18 hands (163 to 183 cm) Clydesdales are known as gentle giants and are impressive horses to ride.

Find more horse riding providers.

FAQs

What will I need to wear to try horse riding?

You don't need to invest in specialist clothing to have a go at riding.

Wear comfy trousers (including leggings and jogging bottoms) and sturdy shoes with a closed toe, a smooth sole and a small heel (N.B. trainers should never be used for riding as they can slip and get stuck in the stirrup).

The staff at your chosen stables will give you a hard hat to use during your lesson, trek or hack too.

On warm days it's best to wear a top that covers your shoulders (though on not so sunny days a few layers and a waterproof coat could be handy too - just in case!).

Is there a weight or height limit?

Although normally there is no height limit, the horse/pony's wellbeing is of the utmost importance and your stables will have a weight limit for each of their horses/ponies. Your chosen stables will be able to advise further on this.

Can children try horse riding?

Of course! Some stables are happy to offer lessons to children from four years old upwards though others start at five or six. Individual stables and riding centres will have their own age restrictions so it's best to contact them directly.

Can I just watch, and not ride?

It's best to check with the stables you want to visit. If you're a parent and you want to watch your child during their lesson most riding centres will let you watch (and cheer your wee one on) from outside the paddock or school.

There are also lots of shows and horse events happening throughout the country where you can see top riders competing for prizes.