Trekking At Blair

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Trekking At Blair

With the new 2008 trekking season fast approaching, the staff at Blair Castle Trekking Centre are starting to get the ball rolling for the new season. Saddles and bridles to be cleaned, manes and tails to be detangled, ponies (and staff!) begin their fitness regimes for the start of the season in Easter.

This year sees some changes for the trekking centre, although the centre has been running now for over 50 years, much of this as an approved centre for The Trekking & Riding Society for Scotland. It will be the first full year as an approved British Horse Society Trekking Centre. Yearly inspections are made by both societies to meet strict standards in safety and customer and equine care before approval is awarded.

Blair Castle Trekking Centre is a very traditional Scottish centre in that it uses only pure bred Highland ponies. Highland ponies have been bred on Atholl for hundreds of years mainly for the purpose of bringing the culled deer off the hill. The ponies’ main duties are still bringing the culled deer off the hill but in the 1950’s the Duke decided they needed some exercise to keep them fit through the summer (Highland ponies tend to put a lot of weight on very easily!) and so the centre began!

At the moment the centre has 30 ponies and two foals are expected in the Spring. The biggest percentage of the ponies are born on the estate and work on the hill during the stalking season. The mixture of the two jobs makes for outstanding manners and temperament. When customers arrive they might even be able to ride the TV super stars Gorm and Diridh!

The emphasis at the trekking centre is on the stunning scenery and the very safe and very steady ponies. The treks are all taken at a sedate walking speed which allows customers to take in the views and have chat with their friends while doing so. For the more adventurous beginner there is the Hill Tour which is guided by Hamish who is also Ghillie on the estate during the stalking season,. He can explain about the deer and heather management.

For the more experienced riders there are hacks and picnic rides which include fresh sandwiches from the castle restaurant made that day, and for the fit experienced rider there are the new Xtreme rides involving hill walking and riding with a picnic lunch.

Working at the centre is Vicki Bogan the Centre Operator, Hamish Cruickshank Senior ride leader and seasonal assistant Hazel Lean. All members of staff are qualified to take out customers and take part in ongoing training through out the season. Members of staff are also taking part in a new training scheme called the UK Coaching Certificate which is about concentrating on the customer so they can develop their horse riding skills.

Besides the new themed rides, this season more rides are offered for local residents. In May, when the weather is hopefully a bit better, ladies’ evening treks and after-school treks will be available.

The centre opens on 21March - contact Vicki 01796 481568 (24hour answering machine) or Vicki@blaircastletrekking.co.uk