Today is the day you’ve been waiting for Globetrotters. You’re in Scotland – tick! You’ve landed in the glistening Border countryside with a hillside lush with vibrant shades of green and peppered with welcoming villages that uphold ancient traditions. And you’re about to embark on a 6-day riding adventure through the battle-scarred landscape ripe with the region’s turbulent history. I’ve got tingles running up and down just thinking about it, does life get better than this? I think not! You’ll need to arrive at your bespoke accommodation – Windlestraw House, a magnificent Edwardian manor – around 2pm and be shown to your rooms by your hosts, John & Sylvia, who will be there throughout the week to offer a helping hand should you require any assistance. You’ll have about half an hour to settle in and get changed for riding, before driving approximately 15mins down the road to the Equestrian Centre, arriving at 2.45pm where you’ll be met by Susy and her superb team of horses. Remember, you’ll be riding different horses throughout the week which is a wonderful experience in itself, so take some time to meet the different horses at the yard, as you may end up riding a few of them during your stay. After a quick safety briefing, you’ll climb on board your horse (word of warning, the horses are all rather tall, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance or a mounting block) and head off down the road and into the rolling, wooded hills above the village of Cardrona for a short afternoon ride. There will be plenty of opportunities for bursts of speed so that you become accustomed to the powerful horse you’ve been partnered with. You’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised at how these horses will go for a fast canter, then simply be happy to wander along on a long rein straight after without any fuss. After arriving back at the stable yard, you’ll then head back to Windlestraw where you’ll have time to freshen up before a welcome dinner with some flamboyant Scottish fanfare thrown in for good measure. Loosen your belts, globetrotters, as the food you’ll be served throughout this week will definitely be worth the extra calories!

Approximately 1.5 hour introductory ride.

After a breakfast worthy of royalty (seriously, you do NOT want to miss the lavish spread served each morning at Windlestraw), you’ll drive across to Susy’s other property in Manor Valley (approx. 15min drive) where you’ll find some new horses ready and waiting for your day’s adventure. You’ll explore fells, roam across moors and enjoy 360 degree views. Get ready to fall in love with the Border country of Scotland, which is just as magical and picturesque as the highlands (and much more accessible). After some exhilarating, wind-in-your-hair canters, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch (provided by our friends at Windlestraw) before continuing on for the afternoon. Dinner tonight will be back at Windlestraw House.

Approximately 3 to 4 hours in the saddle.

HIP, HIP HOORAY! it’s your Common Riding day! Steeped in history, dressed in your tartan jacket and tie, you’ll ride shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of Scottish horsemen and women, led by the appointed lads and lasses from the local village, in a spectacular re-enactment of a time when clans rode the borders to protect their common lands from thieves and greedy landlords. It’s going to be fast-paced and exhilarating as you gallop across fields, crossing streams and rivers and performing the task of ‘checking the stones.’ Soak up the atmosphere of the event, Globetrotters, because there is nothing else like it in the world!

*Please note, each local town’s Common Riding differs with their start/finish times, route and hours in the saddle. Rest assured, you will well and truly get your riding fix no matter which Common Riding falls during your departure.

After yesterday’s exciting extravaganza, you’ll be able to enjoy a lie in and a late breakfast (around 9am), before jumping in your car and heading to the beach (about a 90min drive from Windlestraw)! That’s right, Globetrotters, today you’ll get to explore part of the coastline of Scotland from the back of your horse. Let’s hope the Scottish sun is shining because John Muir Country Park is an unspoilt coastline where farmland kisses the sea, perfect for endless beach canters and wading in the shallows. After your ride, you might wish to slip up into Dunbar and have a drink at Winterfield golf club perched atop the hillside, with beautiful views of the beach and surrounding national park. After which, you’ll need to zoom back to Windlestraw where you’ll be treated to a Scottish High Tea that is so much more than the traditional fare of haggis, porridge and whiskey. You’ll have to squint at the number of carbs you’ll ingest while you tuck into hot, buttery scones, ribbon sandwiches, sweet yum-yums AND a hot meal. Because of this, dinner tonight is not included. If you’re still peckish after your High Tea, we recommend an evening pub visit to the handsome town of Peebles, just 15 minutes down the road {at your own cost}. Ask Sylvia or John for their recommendations on the best places to eat!

Another day for a chilled-out hack in the Scottish Borders where you’ll have a chance to appreciate the Borders way of life from the back of a horse. You’ll fall head over heels in love with its fairytale setting; just imagine: crumbling stone fences, blushing green paddocks and grandiose mansions perched on hillsides. Then there are the dramatic moorlands dotted in sheep and the River Tweed that squiggles through the counties.

After a morning ride, returning for lunch at Windlestraw, you’ll limber up for a stint in the mini Highland Games! Seriously, could this itinerary get any more Scottish? I think not, and that’s why we LOVE it! Think, traditional heavy athletic events like tug-o-war and the caber toss, as well as Highland dance competitions, track and field events, and of course piping. Combining sport, fun and culture in a uniquely Scottish style, the Highland Games are a spectacle like no other. And YOU get to take part in it! #winning Fun fact: Did you know that Baron Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, was so impressed by a Highland display he saw at the 1889 Paris Exhibition that he introduced the hammer throw, shot put and the tug o’ war to his competition? Talk about high praise! The former two are obviously still included in the Olympics program to this day – just one of the many fascinating facts of the Highland Games.

Your last riding day (boo!) but don’t worry, you’ll be ending with a Braveheart finale – one last Common Riding through a charming village and its picture-book surrounds. So button up your tweed for one final HURRAH and savour every moment of this historical Scottish event. It will be a Globetrotting pinch-yourself moment as you take part in one of the oldest horse festivals in the world. Tonight you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at Windlestraw House.

Savour the last delicious breakfast at Windlestraw before you have to check out this morning. You’ll bid a fond farewell to John and Sylvia, say goodbye to your fellow globetrotters who have no doubt become firm friends, and head off on your merry way. In fact, now that you’ve completed the Scottish Border Ride you nearly qualify as an honorary Scot after stepping out on a Common Ride, tossing a shot-put in a kilt, slugging a single-malt whiskey and appreciating some fine pipe music.

Please be aware this is a self-driving riding holiday. You’ll need to hire a car as you’ll be expected to drive to and from your ride destination each day, whether it’s the stables (15 minutes from Windlestraw House), the beach, or the Common Ride locations, which can be up to an hour away. There is no transfer service included with this ride.

When you’re not in the saddle, thanks to your hire car, you’ll have the freedom to explore local towns and historical attractions (i.e. Traquair House) in your down-time.

If you’re a solo traveller, we can tee you up with another globetrotter booked on your departure date so you can share the cost of a hire car.

Depending on your budget and where you’re flying from, you have the option of flying into either London or Edinburgh airports and hiring a car from there. Keep in mind, Edinburgh is a 1 hour drive from Windlestraw House while London is a 6 hour drive.

Globetrotting is happy to provide a competitive quote on international flights, travel insurance, car hire and accommodation before and after your ride.