Nikki & Cara, ever since the day we met you, over a decade ago ((that went fast) you two have always given us a grand adventure.  Whether it was Portavadie when you turned and whispered "are you ready" before we took off on a canter up a hill; or in Knoydart where you couldn't put me on my favourite horse and gave me the Ferrari, you have always surprised us, tested us, enchanted us and surrounded all of your riders with love.

But this year, you took something that is familiar to everyone who has been to your home at Kintyre and you raised it up into an even more amazing adventure.  Crossing Kintyre was brilliant.  Being on horseback in places where int he past we would have asked you "what's over there", this year you took us there and it was magnificent.

Knoydart was wild, but Kintyre is just as remote with a bit more civilisation thrown in.  Every day you gave us a new surprise, a special beach, a special mountain top, a special place that we will always keep with us.  We didn't know how you could surpass your previous experiences, but you did, and as you say BRILLIANT!  

Much love Cathy & Jeff xxxx

Crossing Kintyre Expedition May 3rd - May 10th 2026 

​I’m an Old Faithful of Wilder Ways.   Day rides, week rides, working holidays, lessons, clinics - they do it all with their unique confident alchemy of horsemanship, connection & chutzpah. Beware.   You’re unlikely to only visit them once!!   
 
The Crossing Kintrye point to point ride, though, rose to the top of my Wilder Experiences.   Which surprised me. I live just across the water.  I know this landscape. I trail ride my own horses in it.   But some kind of magic happens on this ride.   I take my own pony, Charlie, with me and we never fail to learn new things.   This ride it was confidence in canter  - something I’d long since accepted ‘wasn’t his thing’.  And conquering the kinds of challenges up on the steep Scottish slopes that had made me think certain routes back home weren’t an option to me.   As we picked our way through tussocks and bogs, scaled the summit to breathtaking 360 degree views and then courageously coped with what seemed an impossible descent, suddenly the whole world opened up to me.  
 
Layer on to these gifts the joyful company, lasting friendship and astoundingly fantastic food & lodgings along the way, I can’t think of anything else they will do to top this ride.   But I do know for certain that they’ll try!!!!

Until next time
Soggy & Charlie! xx
​
Crossing Kintyre Expedition Apr 26th - May 3rd 2026 

At Wilder Ways, we often say that the wilderness has a way of revealing exactly what lies beneath the surface. It strips away the noise, the habits, the overthinking, and leaves you with what truly matters — your instincts, your courage, your connection, and the relationships that either hold strong… or ask to be rebuilt.

For Storm, that journey began in September 2025, midway through one of our seven-day horse riding adventure holidays in the wilds of Kintyre. After several days of riding through Hebridean gales, relentless downpours, scaling seemingly impossible climbs and descents, navigating blanket bogs, and effortlessly shifting in and out of gallop across landscapes that looked like something from a Hollywood epic, an idea quietly began to form.

Partnered with Ozzy — one of our much-loved traditional cobs — Storm found something she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Courage. The kind of courage she remembered from her teenage years, galloping ponies across stubble fields with nothing but pure joy and freedom in her heart. Somewhere between the wild terrain, the miles in the saddle, and the raw honesty of the experience, a possibility emerged.

What if she came back… with her own horse?

​
​At Wilder Ways, things that may sound impossible have a habit of becoming possible. So by March 2026, that possibility had become reality. Storm returned to the southern end of the Kintyre peninsula, this time with her own young horse, Rambo, in tow.

Rambo, a four-and-a-half-year-old traditional cob gelding, had been part of Storm’s life since he was just eight months old. She had brought him home during one of the most difficult periods of her life — only weeks after losing her first horse. In that moment, she made him a silent promise: to give him the best possible start, to help him grow into a happy, healthy, grounded horse, and to give him every opportunity to thrive. No promises about forever — just a promise of a solid beginning.

But as anyone who has started a young horse knows, the journey is rarely straightforward.
Rambo could be everything Storm had hoped for — soft, forward, willing, light as a feather. And then, seemingly overnight, he could become resistant, frustrated, distracted, stubborn, or simply disengaged. Storm found herself questioning not just him, but herself. Was she asking too much? Too little? Was she helping him — or holding him back?

By the time she arrived at Wilder Ways with Rambo, she carried not only a young horse with potential, but a partnership filled with unanswered questions.

A gift that will truly keep giving

​We can not tell you how excited we are to launch our new Empowerment Studio not only 6 months early but with 5 free places to give away.
 
How on earth – the generosity of beautiful strangers.       
 
We (Cara & Nikki) first met Andrea when she joined one of our adventure holidays in late August 2025.  During the adventure we spoke much of the power of horses to help humans to heal and grow.  We all shared our own personal stories and we discussed Wilder Ways’ plans for our new Horsemanship Humanship programs.   
 
​At Wilder Ways we are certain our Empowerment Studio will have a positive impact on local people’s lives but the challenge has been securing funding to help those access it who may not be able to afford it personally.  Where the public sector has failed us – this individual, the wonderful Andrea is willing to support the youth in our community from the other side of the world.  Having seen the benefit of time at Wilder Ways first hand, and learning we were struggling to secure external funding, Andrea was determined to help us.
 
For anyone who follows us on socials or has booked with us before, you will know we are passionate about ‘sharing the love’ via our ‘Make a Difference’ and ‘Wilder Ways Wish’ donation schemes.  To date your generosity has resulted in over 1500 native trees being planted on the farm and given Kathryn an unforgettable Wilder Ways experience as she battles terminal cancer.  We are very proud of these achievements which you, our guests, made possible.
 
But Andrea has just raised the bar again.  So here it is - an unbelievable opportunity for 5 local young people to experience our full Empowerment Studio 6-week program completely free of charge.  All you need to do is invest your effort, open your heart and let us, our herd the farm work our magic on the rest.
 
So, if you think our Empowerment Studio is for you – here is how to apply for your chance!
 
Application process
In your own way, tell us why this course would benefit you.  This can be via e-mail, a written document, piece of art, voice note or video.  Please submit to [email protected] or 07826 273 291. 

• Sept 30th – Application deadline
• Oct 8th – Places will be awarded
• Oct 22nd – Empowerment Studio begins

 
Eligibility

• 13 – 21 years old.
• Live full time in Kintyre.
• Commit to 9am-4.30pm on all 6 Wednesdays in the program (Oct 22nd to Nov 26th 2025).

 
For full details on what the Empowerment Studio includes please visit Empowerment Studio - Wilder Ways
 
So what are you waiting for – secure your place and begin your empowerment journey now!​

I booked a week's riding holiday as part of my 70th year's celebrations.  With some trepidation as I wasn't sure I was fit, strong or brave enough,  but was determined to give it a try.  

I've ridden since a small child, It's many years since I've had my own horse, but I have been riding again pretty regularly over the last few years.  But an hour or two at a time, on fairly gentle hacks. So a whole week at Wilder Ways felt like a big step up.

I can honestly say that I have come back a different person,  in a really positive way.  

Firstly,  you never do forget how to ride. Your body really does remember how to do it. The trick is learning to trust that. That is exactly what Wilder Ways taught me.  There were no lessons,  no lectures, just good common sense,  gentle encouragement and calm expectations of my abilities.  

Nikki and Cara matched me with a lovely mare, perfect for my level of expertise and confidence.  Over the week, Raven and I really got to know each other as I was shown a whole new way of looking at everything.  I learned to listen to my body and shut out the negatives that a lot of women carry around.  You know, the, " you're too old", "you can't do it" , "you'll get too tired" , "you'll slow everyone else down " etc, etc. That week in May , I found the inner me that had been in hiding for a while. No longer an ageing granny, but an Amazon! 

I galloped flat out on beaches, climbed my horse up and down steep trails, rode bareback into the sea and swam with the horse under me, did horseback archery at the canter, and re-learned all the wonderful ways to care for my horse. All with the quiet, persistently  positive atmosphere that Wilder Ways exudes. 

I came home feeling empowered.  I still do. And absolutely will do it again.  At 71 next time! 

Jane (2025)

The first 3 sessions we tackle ‘the catch’.  The field is 10 acres and contains 2 other ponies.  As soon as we enter the field, he’s off prancing, tail in the air.  The guys are desperate to reach for the feedbag – stand firm I command.  Over these 3 days, we play that childhood game of ‘you’re getting warmer’.  Running around the field is colder.  When he approaches the gate, he is getting warmer and when he heads to the guys – he’s smoking hot.  The first day, with no halter, we just ask him to stand with us.  Day 2 the game begins again and takes even longer, Marksman is testing the resolve of the menfolk – he is getting to know them.  Day 3, Marksman wins the game, he gets smoking hot quickly.  It’s a win-win.  We put the halter on.  Walk him out the gate, love on him, then instantly return him to the field and release him.  Everyone looks confused. The boys, “WTF, we had him”.  Marksman “Well that was easy”.  Less is often more, particularly in the early days.  I recommend the boys spend some time in the field just chilling out whenever they can.  Take a beer and take in the view.  Let Marksman come and go as he pleases and just love on him if it pleases him.  The value of just ‘being’ with your horse should never be underestimated.  

​In horsemanship ‘consistency’, ‘clarity’ and ‘confidence’ are considered key to success.  We agree.  We just believe ‘creativity’ can be the clincher to a fun, connected and engaging partnership for all.
The wilds were our arena and luckily this was the natural habitat for this horse and these men.  Once we established a soft forward and back up and were able to isolate and move the haunches and shoulders independently (i.e. the basic word order and grammar), we were ready to start forming some pretty cool sentences.

​But my greatest pleasure that day was not the overall progress, but the beauty of watching horse and man figure out each obstacle in the moment; each thinking through what ‘words’ would best convey their intention to each other.  Whilst nothing was actually ‘verbalised’ the communication was quite evident and the results most beautiful.
Marksman headed to the hills the very next day to begin the stalking season.  Initially he carried only his saddle as he built up the mental and physical fitness needed for full days on the hill.   The guys tell me that by the end of the season he started carrying light loads.  
We look forward to catching up with Marksman and the lads during our time on Knoydart in June 2025; to witness their progress, to give them a few new hints and tips to help iron out any teething problems, and to set them up for a successful first full season.  This garron will make his mark on the hills as well as on a few hearts, of that I am sure.   

- Cara

​You can read all about our volunteer placements and how you can become a volunteer with us here.

One thing I am certain of, horsemanship is not a new phenomenon.  It would be arrogant to think that horsemanship didn’t have a part in the very domestication of horses 6,000 years ago.  This is not to mention the many civilizations since, who claim to be the godfather of horsemanship.  Whoever was the first, today it is great to see so many more people consciously challenging how they work with horses and trying to improve.  As we say at home, “do your best until you know better, then do better”.
 
Whatever method we follow and whatever our end goals, as I get older, ‘play’ has an increasingly important role for me. ​

​However, I will never forget just how painful it was to take that step from unconsciously incompetent to consciously incompetent during that clinic.  Sometimes I wish that step had been slightly less public, as I stood in the middle of that dusty arena, in 35 degree heat.  The crowd peered down at me as I struggled to comprehend just how many different ways you could hold a rope whilst Peter repeatedly mocked ‘nope’ at my every attempt and the tears began to fall.  In hindsight, this was my awakening, the only way remaining from the bottom – upwards!

​Being publicly vulnerable can be particularly difficult in today’s society where judgement appears from every corner and if you make a mistake someone is sure to gloat or worse still, post about it.  It sometimes feels like everyone is out to get you and willing you to fall flat on your face.  I’ll remind you; horses are prey animals and perhaps know a thing or two about this feeling.  Vulnerability is not weakness.

​If you would like to continue to follow my story, keep an eye on this space as I publish my next two blogs in this wee series I am calling ‘For the love of play’.
 
Thanks for being part of my story.
​Keep adventuring, Cara xxx

I want to thank Echo for being my student and my teacher, I could not have wished for a better first.

- Nikki 

I signed up for a Sean Coleman clinic at Wilder Ways because my friend was going, I didn’t really have any expectations, it just felt like an interesting thing to do.  It turned out to be a brilliant experience.   Wilder Ways, if you’ve never been there, is a magical place.  Tucked away in Kintyre, it feels like a world of it’s own.  Nikki and Cara were very welcoming, wise and dryly funny.  And the food is completely ace, which is an underrated but essential part of a great horsey weekend.
 
I love to ride, but I work, and I’ve got three children, so I tend to get to the field, saddle up and go, I’ve never had, or made, time for non ridden work.  So learning how much you can teach your horse on the ground, and how much that can benefit your relationship with him, was a real eye-opener.  In the morning Sean would do a big theory session before we’d head down to the arena.  The first day was all ground work, lots of flags, which me and my horse Mac had never used before.  The second day we did some ground and some ridden work.  It was all good.

Sean has an ability to size up a horse, and communicate with it, that is fascinating to watch.  Mac really benefited.  At the beginning of the weekend Sean asked us all what we wanted to work on.  Mac is what we politely call a reluctant loader (he has also on occasions in this context been called a wee shite).  It’s something we really struggle with.  Sean trained him, teaching Mac that he had to work when he was away from the trailer, firm but very calm. In about 90 minutes he had my horse - who previously thought trailers were the terrifying work of the devil - popping in to relax.  When Mac  self loaded, Sean unclipped him and Mac stayed in the trailer for 10 minutes before wandering out.  Now Sean had been working Mac  hard, and there had been moments where it seemed a bit much, and I had to sit on my hands not to step in and say take it easy.  But astonishingly when Mac came out of that trailer, he didn’t walk over to me, or the other horses, he walked over to Sean, as if to say hi boss, what are we doing next?  My horse recognised someone who really knew what they were doing and appreciated it as much as I did.
 
The loading looms large for me, because it was transformational.  Since that weekend I have a horse who loads.  He quite often takes longer than I’d like, but I can now get him places in a trailer without worrying.  

- Clara Glynn