Horseback Riding in Scotland: A Winter Holiday with Highlands Unbridled

My Horseback Riding Experience in Scotland

Unlike their long-distance summer treks, Highlands Unbridled offers an entirely different horseback riding experience during the winter months in Scotland. From the 8th of December till the 1st of March, you get to form a special bond with the horses at their farm and enjoy the surrounding nature of the Scottish Highlands.

The focus lies on a mix of horse care and riding, and it was truly one of the most special trips I’ve ever done! Being able to work with the horses, ride through untouched landscapes, and experience the Highlands during the winter simply made it an unforgettable, wholesome experience.

The farm is run by Dominique, a 30-something-year-old woman who manages it all on her own. She’s incredibly welcoming, passionate about horses, and constantly makes sure everyone is comfortable and well-matched with their horse.

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So, whether you’re a confident rider looking for adventure or just want to experience farm life and slow down, this holiday offers the perfect blend of work, fun, and incredible scenery!

Taking care of the horses

Get up early with a delicious breakfast for both you and your horse. The work you’d do at the farm generally includes grooming, tacking up, mucking out, and feeding the horses, as well as helping with the hay, cutting wood, and looking after the chickens, cats, and donkeys. 

This is farm life — an incredibly refreshing experience in the crisp winter air of Northern Scotland. However, do not worry, besides taking care of all the beautiful animals on the property, you’ll be spending lots of time horseback riding and enjoying the surroundings, too!

The Rides

After a morning of caring for all the horses and other animals on the farm, it’s time to go horse riding in Scotland’s best landscapes: thick forests, mountains, and rolling fields, all part of a 6,000-acre private estate. The farm sits on this land, meaning we were the only ones riding there. No crowds, just you, your horse, and the wild Scottish Highlands.

At lunch, we’d sit down and discuss with Dominique what kind of ride we wanted that day. From a relaxed trot through the forest to galloping across open fields and trying small jumps over fallen tree trunks or even bareback riding — there was always room to add a bit of adventure!

With endless breathtaking views at the top of the hills, it almost feels like riding through a painting, made even more magical by the winter sunset that casts a warm golden-orange glow over the trees. 

As you make your way across the open fields of heather and bright green ferns, Dominique’s dogs run alongside us, twisting through the shrubs and pine forests. We spotted deer, hares, lots of native birds, and grazing fluffy Highland cows closeby to the rivers. 

The Horses

Most of the horses at Highlands Unbridled are actually ponies — but big ones! They primarily have Highland ponies and Highland crosses, as these native breeds are well-suited for the rugged Scottish terrain.

They also have some lovely Irish Cobs, a couple of Appaloosas, a Fell cross, a Quarter horse cross, and an Arab, amongst a couple of assorted others. Best of all, they’re all incredibly affectionate and always ready for cuddles!

Being Animal Friendly

Whenever I book a trip like this, I want to be 100% sure that the animals are well cared for. I was so happy to see that this was truly the case at Highlands Unbridled. The health and well-being of the horses are Dominique’s top priority. They have vast fields to roam in, receive the proper nutrition and medical care, and — most importantly — are showered with love!

During my stay, I had the chance to watch some of the newer horses being trained, and it was amazing to see Dominique’s gentle approach in action. Her method is built entirely on trust, and I witnessed firsthand how calm and confident the horses were because of it.

By the end, I even went for a bareback ride on a horse that had only started training at the beginning of the week. The connection between us felt natural and full of trust — it was an unforgettable experience!

In the summer, when the horses go on long-distance rides, their well-being is carefully monitored every day. Most of them go barefoot most of the time, but when riding on hard or rocky terrain, they wear Easyboots. These provide better protection than traditional horseshoes, reducing the risk of lost shoes or nail injuries in remote areas and preventing sole bruising on stony trails.

Making New Friends

This was my first solo trip in ages, but I wasn’t worried about making friends. On a trip like this, everyone shares the same passion — horseback riding — which naturally creates an instant bond. So, if you’re hesitating to go because you don’t have anyone to go with, just do it solo!

The groups for the Winter Horse Care Holidays are small (just 3-4 riders), which makes it a very personal and flexible experience. By chance, I ended up with two other women from the Netherlands. We were all different ages, but as we got to know each other a bit, we clicked immediately.

Good to Know When Horseback Riding in Scotland

Before embarking on your own horseriding holiday in Scotland, there are a few things that are good to know. 

• The organized rides and holidays are for people aged 16+ unless accompanied by a parent. 
• Rider experience level: You need to be able to walk and trot. You don’t have to be an expert, and Dominique is great at helping build confidence.
• The first ride is a shorter test ride of about an hour to get a feel for your horse and the terrain. If, by the next day, you’d like to switch to another horse that better suits your level, that’s possible. 

• As the farm has many horses, Dominique carefully selects a horse for each rider based on height, weight (max 95 kg / 210 lbs), skill level, and personality. 
• After the rides, you’ll enjoy a homemade dinner. I’m a pescatarian, and another guest was vegan, but Dominique accommodated us easily. She sends out a form before the trip where you can list any dietary requirements.

How to Book

Most of Highlands Unbridled trips get booked up quickly. Therefore, it’s smart to follow their newsletter or their Instagram for updates when the trips open up. This winter horse care holiday I did is available from the 8th of December to the 1st of March. Once they open up trips, you’ll have to reach out via email to see if there’s still room and complete a booking form. 

What to Pack for a Horse Riding Holiday in Scotland

Winter in Scotland means unpredictable weather, so layering is key when horseback riding. Some essential items are: 

• Thermal base layers
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Waterproof gloves
• Warm beanie (or two)
• Fleece or insulated mid-layers

For riding: 

• Waterproof riding boots or warm, waterproof shoes. If you don’t own riding boots, bring hiking boots for the farm work. I brought Wellies, but Dominique recommended using her spare riding boots. While this was incredibly kind of her, it’s best not to rely on borrowing gear and bring your own if possible. 
• Sports bras for women (for extra comfort). 
• A riding cap/helmet. If you don’t have one, you can borrow one at the farm; just let Dominique know in advance. 

Other must-bring items: 

• Travel plug adapter (Scotland has plug type G)
• Lipbalm and moisturizer to protect against windburn and cold air. 
• Handwarmers if your hands get really cold quickly. 

Accommodation Options

When going on a horseback riding trip in Scotland with Highlands Unbridled, there’s the option to stay on-site in their cozy stone cottage. However, accommodation here is limited, with room for only two guests. You’ll be sharing a room and bathroom with the other guest, joining meals around the big family table in the kitchen, and helping with the dishes while looking out the window at the many geese, chickens, and ducks outside. 

If more than two people book, the remaining guests will need to book their accommodation in a nearby town: 

• Banchory — only 20 minutes from the farm. I stayed in this town at the Tor-Na-Coille Hotel. 
• Aboyne, which is also 20 minutes away. I’d recommend staying at the Boat Inn. 

Both towns have lovely Scottish-style hotels and cozy restaurants that are great for relaxing after a long day outdoors. Although Dominique can sometimes pick you up from your accommodation away from the farm, this depends on her schedule. Because of this, I recommend renting a car for the most flexibility.

How to Get There

To get to the Scottish Highlands and go horseback riding with Highlands Unbridled, you first have to fly into Aberdeen Airport. 

From there, rent a car for the most flexibility and drive about 45 minutes to the farm (here’s the exact location). You’ll find the car rental at the airport by walking outside the airport and going left through a tunnel. As there are limited cars, it’s best to book in advance.

The speed limits are about 40-60 mph, there’s no street lighting, and you’ll find some potholes. The last 10 minutes before you arrive, the country roads don’t get salted to prevent ice/slipperiness. So drive carefully when you rent your own car. 

Alternatively, you can hop in a taxi (expensive, about £100,- one way) or travel by bus to Banchory or Aboyne. If you choose to go by bus, you’ll first have to make your way into Aberdeen City and then hop on a second bus to one of the two towns. This journey takes about 2 hours. 

Things to do in the Area

There are some beautiful places to visit in the surrounding area. Because of this, it might be fun to extend your visit by one or two days. Enjoy the countryside scenery, charming villages like Braemar and Ballater, and fairytale-like castles like Balmoral, Dunnottar & Craigievar.