June & July 2024Our wildest riding adventure meets luxurious feasting & hospitality. Wilder Ways go feral on Knoydart peninsula, BRITAIN’S last true wilderness.
In the summer, the Wilder Ways team will be heading off grid to Scotland’s last true wilderness in the west, Knoydart. Although still on the mainland, this isolated peninsula in the West Highlands is accessible only by boat, even for the horses, (or a 2-day scramble for the really adventurous!) There is no road access.
|
FULL WEEK ADVENTURE |
(SUNDAY – SUNDAY, INCLUDES 5 DAYS RIDING + 1 REST DAY + 7 NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE)
- June 9th - 16th
- june 16th - 23rd
- june 23rd - 30th
- June 30th - July 7th
Adventure Summary
|
Scenery to make your heart sing. A land of natural wonder steeped in history and drenched in exquisite local hospitality. Leave your cars and mobile phones at home. This is extreme remoteness and also a luxurious riding adventure holiday. Get ready for an overdose of fresh air, velvet noses and utter bliss on the wild side…. This is the ultimate Wilder Ways ride. Our holidays here are also gastronomic delights featuring locally caught seafood and venison, freshly grown vegetables and produce, prepared by some very talented chefs. With comfortable and characterful accommodation and beautifully eccentric hosts, your evenings are as much of an adventure as the riding. 
|
Although still on the mainland, this isolated peninsula in the West Highlands is accessible only by boat. We'll be riding through breath-taking mountain scenery that changes with each bend in the path, through deep rivers and stony fords or scrambling around the coast with spectacular views out to 'The Small Isles', Rum, Eigg and Skye. Are you ready for some real off-road adventuring? This trip is available only for fit and adventurous riders, comfortable at canter. It is NOT suitable for beginners. |
Itinerary
|
Day 1: Arrive at Inverie (6pm boat from Mallaig) in time to settle before dinner at 7.30pm. Relax into your surroundings, and let the banter start flowing. Share your own horse history and set your wish list for the trip. Day 2: Meet your steed and prepare for your first day in the saddle. You will quickly leave civilisation behind you to enjoy stunning views across Loch Nevis (gallic for Heaven) and Loch Hourn (gaelic for Hell). This ride will take you deep into the mountains, along crystal clear rivers and tumbling waterfalls. You will climb over 450m to the shoulder of Knoydart’s largest mountain, Ladhar Bheinn. This day will test your stamina and the trust between you and your steed - there is just nothing like standing high in the mountains with your horse. Day 3: Leave the mountains at your back as you wind along Glen Guseran and the relics of a way of life before the Highland Clearances. We will canter along grassy river-banks, hop ditches and wade the River Guseran. After passing the most remote farmstead, we will scramble around rocky coastline, racing across meadows with views of the rugged Cuillin mountains of Skye - Watch out for eagles, stags and wild ponies. |
|
|
Day 4: Prepare your horse in the most scenic corral you can` imagine. From here there are epic island views as you head back towards ‘civilisation’ through the tiny hamlet of Airor. We will ride across beautiful sandy bays – where we may enjoy a good gallop - and when the tides (and your appetite for the Scottish weather) allow, we will take the horses swimming in the sea.
Day 5: This is a rest day from riding. Enjoy the peninsula from a new perspective, with a morning boat trip around Loch Nevis. This stunning trip will take you down memory lane as you learn about the colourful history of the area with your host, a local farmer and a legend in his own right. Return to Inverie for a late lunch in the Pottery Tea Room, before heading back to your accommodation on its own private beach. A perfect spot for some well-earned R&R. Day 6: Be reunited with your steed for a diverse day of riding through some challenging terrain. You will be taught to navigate by the land formations and the plants under your hooves and even get your own feet dirty as you dismount to lead your horse safely through the rocky outcrops. At the top there are 360 degree views from the Small Isles to the mountain massifs. Day 7: On the final day of riding you will once again take to the mountains, this time in the east towards the interior of the peninsula where we will ride out alongside the black waters of Loch Dubh-Lochain. After a morning of mountains, we will return to Inverie village and the Long Beach for our final fling along the sand and some finale games to cement the bond between you and your horse. Day 8: Sadly, the end has come, it’s departure day after breakfast. Bid farewell to this magical place of the wild and wonderful. |
Throughout your trip we encourage you to get your ‘hands dirty’ and look after your horse as if it were your own (don’t worry, we’ll support you to do this). This trust this builds between you and your horse helps to bring the very best out of this journey.
This intense 5 days of riding will leave you feeling exhilarated, empowered and totally in love with your horse.
This itinerary is an example - exact routes may change due to weather, tides or other factors or be ridden in reverse.
This intense 5 days of riding will leave you feeling exhilarated, empowered and totally in love with your horse.
This itinerary is an example - exact routes may change due to weather, tides or other factors or be ridden in reverse.
Trip Details
Arrival – Inverie pier on Sunday (the evening before your ride starts) via the 6pm Ferry from Mallaig to Inverie. We will collect you from Inverie pier and take you to check into your accommodation. Please note you must book your own ferry – from Western Isles Cruises. Your host will join you for dinner to get to know each other and to talk through the exciting plans for the week ahead.
Daily Schedule – Subject to the specifics of each day’s riding, but generally breakfast is at 8am, we ride 10am-4pm and dinner is at 7pm. Riding – 5 full days riding (~6 hours in the saddle per day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Riding - 5 full days riding (~6 hours in the saddle per day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Riding Ability – This trip is physically demanding due to the hours in the saddle, the remoteness of the area and the varied and challenging terrain. This trip is NOT suitable for beginner or novice riders. Riders must be confident at canter – all galloping opportunities are optional.
Rest day – Thursday will be a rest day. A morning boat trip is provided, lunch in the local Tea Room with the afternoon yours to enjoy as you wish.
Lunches – A picnic ‘on the hoof’ will be provided by Wilder Ways each riding day. On the rest day lunch will be provided in the Knoydart Pottery & Tea Room.
Accommodation – 7 nights’ accommodation at a characterful local guesthouse set on its own private beach.
Evening meals – Each night you'll feast at one of Knoydart's great dining experiences, where you can sample locally caught seafood, venison from the hills and freshly grown vegetables and produce – be prepared to loosen your belts!
Transfers – From your arrival at Inverie Pier all local transport is included. Please note that you must book the boat from Mallaig to Inverie directly ( www.westernislescruises.co.uk ) and in advance. Public transport is available to Mallaig from Glasgow (train or bus).
Finish – The last ride will finish on Saturday at 4pm. On the Saturday evening your Wilder Ways hosts will join you for a special finale dinner. You will enjoy a last evening’s sleep in the peace and tranquillity of the peninsula before returning home.
Departure – Check out from your accommodation is by 10am on Sunday. The first ferry off Knoydart on Sunday is 9.30am, your accommodation provider will drop you off at the pier to catch this boat. Alternative arrangements will need to be made if you wish to spend more time on Knoydart and catch a later ferry.
Exclusions: The ferry between Mallaig and Inverie is excluded – guests must book this themselves. Alcoholic drinks are not provided but are available for you to purchase at most dining venues and as a carry out from the local village store.
Directions ~ To KNOYDART
To get to Knoydart you must catch the Western Isles Ferry from Mallaig to Inverie (the main village on Knoydart). You must arrange your own transport to Inverie – the ferry can get booked up so we recommend you book this in advance. We will pick you up and drop you off at Inverie pier and will provide all your local transport once you arrive here.
Airports
The closest airports are Glasgow & Inverness. Both are a ~4 hour journey from Mallaig, from where you need to catch the ferry to Knoydart.
By Taxi
It is possible to get a taxi from either airport to Mallaig, and although this is the most expensive option at ~£250 per journey, it may be viable option for groups travelling together.
By Train
You can get a train from Glasgow city centre (Queen St Station) direct to Mallaig on the West Highland Line. This journey is often listed as one of the top 10 train Journeys in the World, an adventure in its own right – including the famous Harry Potter viaduct - you can even do part of it on a steam train! You can check the timetables via National Rail Enquiries' www.nationalrail.co.uk.
By Car
You can drive to Mallaig, but the ferry to Inverie is passenger only so you will need to park up your car in Mallaig for the duration of your adventure with us.
The ‘Ferry’
From Mallaig, you get to Knoydart (Inverie) by ferry with Western Isles Cruises (~£25 return) www.westernislescruises.co.uk. Advance booking is essential.
