Highlands Unbridled

Today I swap wild and rough vistas for leafy trees and lush grass. Whilst it is always wonderful to spend my weeks out on the trail exploring some of my favourite corners of Scotland on horseback, there is something equally special about coming home to my little menagerie in Aberdeenshire.

From donkeys and ducks to ponies and cats, each one brings its own kind of joy. In between the jobs that need doing after a week away, I love taking a few quiet moments to simply sit amongst them... feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, listening to the gentle sounds of contented animals and appreciating the peace that comes with being home in between rides.

The rough highland hills may feed my soul, but these simple moments of quiet camaraderie are just as special.

We’ve just completed the first Wild West Highlands Ride of 2026, and what a journey it was. The highlands put on one of their most atmospheric displays with rolling mist, dramatic skies, and endless stretches of rugged, untamed terrain and in return, we only had to suffer a few downpours!

From steep, rocky tracks to remote wilderness trails, every mile reminded us why this landscape is so special. But the real stars of the ride were our incredible horses. Sure footed, brave, and endlessly willing, they tackled every challenge the highlands threw at them with remarkable strength and determination. We couldn’t be prouder of them, especially with so many new ponies on the trail this year. There are so many photos of Freyja the Fjording, largely because she is my own pony and her journey back to trusting people in the saddle has been truly remarkable. Every time I see her out on the trails, I feel an immense sense of pride and simply can’t resist taking another photograph.

There’s something truly magical about exploring wild country on horseback, especially when the mist hangs low across the hills and every turn reveals another breathtaking view.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on this unforgettable adventure, and an extra special appreciation to our wonderful horses who carried us safely through some of the most spectacular and demanding terrain Scotland has to offer.

Until the next adventure...

Summer job opportunity. We are looking for someone to be our back-up driver for the long distance rides in the stunningly beautiful Cairngorms, West Highlands and Assynt areas of Scotland.

You will be required to pick up guests, make up horse feeds and help to tack-up/un-tack the horses. Experience with hoof boots would be good as all of our horses are barefoot with boots - training will be given.
During the day, whilst the riders are on the trail, there may be other jobs to do - occasionally a field needs poo picking, but most don't, you may need to stock up on horse feed at a local store or prepare things for the following morning, but there is often time to go for a walk, or chill out. Sometimes we need to put up electric fencing in certain fields.
Between some of the rides you would need to transport horses from the end point of one ride, to the start point of the next.

You must be able to drive a LWB Landrover Defender and tow a horse trailer, often on single track roads and be able to think on the spot, should any problems occur - although I am always just a phone call away to help and support you.

Hours can be irregular with early mornings or late nights at the start or finish of the rides, but during the ride most days start at around 08.30 and finish between 16.30-18.30 in the afternoon, with a few exceptions as there are some half days and some later finishes.

All accommodation and meals are provided and you are welcome a friendly dog. (We may consider an un-paid partner too)

If you think this might suit you, please email Jan on
[email protected]

It was such a pleasure to work with the lovely Angelfire Photography for this gorgeous set of images featuring my two Friesians, Breagha and Brego. I had the pleasure of meeting Lucy when she came up to Scotland last month - these images were a test shoot for a equine photography workshop she hopes to run here at Highlands Unbridled towards the end of the year. I am so thankful to have such beautiful photos of my little equine family… Breagha in her golden retired years and young Brego who is now somehow inconceivably already 3 years old! I will treasure these images forever 🖤

✨ Two cancellation spaces for our famous Wild West Highlands ride have become available for June 9th - June 17th ✨

Two very lucky riders now have the chance to join us for the adventure of a lifetime as we cross some of the most remote and breathtaking landscapes in the Scottish Highlands.

This is one of our most iconic riding holidays. It is a true wilderness journey through vast glens, ancient trails, rugged mountains, and wild open moorland, all from the back of our incredible, sure footed horses.

Expect unforgettable scenery, wonderful company, cozy evenings, and memories that stay with you forever.

Spaces on this ride are incredibly rare, and cancellations are usually snapped up quickly.

To book or find out more, send us an email or visit our website.

It’s been such a fun and sunny start to our 2026 season. Riding in this warm sunshine has been an absolute joy... and finally being able to shed a few layers after what felt like an endless cold and wet winter has been even better!

We’ve welcomed lots of new ponies onto the trails this year, and it’s been so rewarding watching them grow in confidence with every ride. Seeing our horses genuinely enjoy their work is one of the most special parts of what we do. From splashing through burns, climbing hills and cantering through the glens to exploring the beautiful Cairngorms in this glorious spring weather, they have all been absolute superstars.

We have had some truly lovely weeks out on the trails, making the most of the sunshine and mountain views. There’s now just one more left in the Cairngorms for the spring before we head north for our first Coast to Coast rides of the year.

A big, warm welcome to my actual literal dream horse, Aska. She arrived from Germany at the start of last month, and I still can’t quite believe she’s mine. She’s a 5-year-old Icelandic mare and honestly the sweetest, most affectionate horse I could ever have hoped for. Her name comes from Icelandic and means “ashes." This is the perfect name for her, not only for her fiery hair but it's also a name rooted in nature, reminiscent of resilience, renewal, and new beginnings. It feels like such a meaningful name for the start of our journey together. And better yet, we even match… we share the same shade of red hair!

I plan to take things slowly with her — focusing on groundwork and building her balance so she can feel relaxed, confident, and balanced in her gaits and tölt. We’re just at the beginning of our adventure and I truly hope this is the start of an incredible partnership for many, many years to come.

For all those asking about Bluebelle the miracle donkey and her rehabilitation, she is well and truly on the mend. I can finally say with confidence that she is back to her mischievous and zoomie self, full of donkey bucks and snoozes in the sunshine with Gordon. She has been doing for walks down the driveway and moves much more confidently now. And the best bit? She can get up and down herself unassisted.

What a miracle, one that honestly wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing advice, emotional support and expertise of Jim from Dukes Equine Vets who answered all my frantic calls, visited many times, gave me all the advise I could ask for and most of all, gave Bluebelle a fighting chance. She needed time, patience and care and I’m so glad we could do that for her. Being an equine owner and carer is so bloody scary and stressful sometimes, I couldn’t do it without the knowledge and care of all the professionals who make what we do possible, from our incredible equine vets to our amazing barefoot trimmer (Odette of Barefoot Performance), our wonderful farrier (Billy Scott) and everyone else in between.

It takes a community to keep all these animals happy and healthy and I’m so glad to have so many amazing people to lean on with my anxious questions, emergencies and everything else. Everyday I’m learning and hopefully becoming a better animal owner and carer.

Anyone who has animals knows how quickly things can change and how hard it is to say goodbye.

We have had a month straight of rain, with no sunshine since sometime in mid January and it is been the wettest, most miserable month I have ever experienced. Donkeys don't cope well in the cold or rain and despite thick rugs and a shelter, they were not coping so I had them in the stable to keep them dry and warm. Two nights ago, my lovely jenny Bluebelle (the sweetest, kindest donkey with not a bad bone in her body and truly a heart of gold) had somehow managed to get herself stuck down in the stable. Despite a big thick rug, she had become extremely cold, weak and utterly exhausted by the time I found her the next morning. She was hypothermic and unable to stand, even with my frantic efforts to help her up.

We suspected muscle death (myopathy) from being stuck down and the prognosis was poor. The vet visited multiple times and it was deemed unlikely she would recover with such damage. Hot water bottles were filled and I did my best to warm her up but she was so exhausted and I prepared myself to say goodbye. I didn't want her to suffer.

Last night I slept in the stable with her. I turned her every few hours to reduce further muscle damage from prolonged pressure, trying to keep her warm and comfortable and hoping she would find the strength in the morning to try to stand.

Today, I knew the window for this being survivable was closing but I wanted so badly to give her one last shot. The vet came up and agreed it was worth a chance as she was bright and eating otherwise. I put a post on Facebook, phoned everyone I knew, and asked (begged) for help.

I went from feeling completely alone and a total failure to being overwhelmed with gratitude. Friends and strangers alike dropped everything to come and help give Bluebelle a chance. And somehow… we did it! We got her standing and she managed to stand for three hours unassisted.

There of course is still a long road ahead and she isn't out of the woods yet. She will need repeated turning when she’s down overnight, a very deep comfortable bed, and hopefully continued help lifting her twice a day to increase circulation and blood flow as much as possible. But today, things look more hopeful than I ever dared dream this time yesterday.

Bluebelle has a donkey husband, Gordon. They are a bonded pair and have been inseparable for many years. He has been so quiet and subdued (despite his usual trouble making character) and I’m certain he knows something serious is wrong. For his sake as much as hers, I hope with everything I have that she pulls through and gets back to being her sweet, kind, loving self.

To every single person who came today (especially Odette of Barefoot Performance who came over twice today and brought me dinner when I hadn't eaten and Flora who dropped everything to come help when I phoned her out the blue in tears) and all those who gave advice, sent messages or turned up ready to lift – thank you. You gave her a chance when it felt like there wasn’t one left. I hope we can make it through this.

Scotland is the place I call home. Mist curls low on ancient hills, heather bows beneath my feet. The sea remembers every word the wind has ever whispered. Dry stone walls hold the warmth of years, rain envelops all without distinction. I ask a question in the silence between sky and loch and something ancient answers. The Cailleach bundles me in her arms, wraps me in salt, peat, and time, she reminds me: Scotland is the place you call home.

I clumsily strung these words together as I toiled through the mud feeding the horses over these last dreich weeks. I have been thinking a lot on my relationship with Scotland and animals and what this means to me. This is brought even clearer into the spotlight with the recent proposed changes to settlement in the UK for migrants and the effect this could have on me - someone who is mere weeks away from being able to apply for settlement after many years of stress, worry and red tape adorned hoops held ever higher.

If you love Scotland, if you love animals, if you know what it means to find a home far from where you were born... this might mean something to you too. If not, then don't worry! I'll be back to regularly scheduled programming of cute pony pics and reels of our adventures soon enough.

Below is a photo of me and my now elderly friesian mare, Breagha when we were younger, a time when we were just starting our journey towards confidence and trust in one another.