The Team

During the chaos of 2020 we sadly had to say goodbye to Amie Latona and Katelyn Williamson who have moved on to crop new pastures. 

Then, just as we were starting to gear up again post lockdown, a letter popped into our mailbox from one Olivia Whitehead who had moved to the area with a very horsy background.  She has been with us now since August 2020 and, with her guard-dachshund Obi, manages the yard, helps us keep the horses well cared for, feeds the animals, and turns her skills to whatever we ask of her!

We have also been joined by Megan Ellis who is taking over many of the social media, marketing, and other IT tasks from us tech dinosaurs – so you might hear from us more often. 

​Nikki’s daughter Beithean helps out at weekends, from saddle club to regular baking of her signature divine chocolate brownie.  This ensures a good team spirit all round.

Cara

​​I am a rural surveyor by trade but my true love has always been horses.  Through Wilder Ways I am lucky enough to live my joy and hopefully help others to live theirs.

I starting riding at the age of 6 and I’ve been hooked ever since.  I enjoyed competing in my teens but my love of wilderness riding has taken me on my most fulfilling adventures from Canada to Mexico and now exploring some of the wildest, most beautiful parts of Scotland. ​

I love learning about my horse and our partnership and have been really fortunate to have had some great learning experiences over the years; staring off with Pearl Cranna my riding instructor, lifelong friend and mentor to more recently training with the natural horse-master, Peter Campbell in Canada.  I practice Monty Roberts ‘join up’, Parelli natural horsemanship and I love the ways of Tom Dorrance’s ‘True Unity’. ​

Via Wilder Ways we now want to invite you to join our adventures.  We are passionate about enabling people to access the wilds, whist being committed to building confidence in horses and riders through adventure and play.

Nikki

​​I have lived in the West of Scotland for over twenty years and worked as a freelance botanist, travelling and walking in many of the most remote and beautiful parts of the country. Riding had always been a big part of my life and so I walked with potential 'horse adventures' in my mind.  I was lucky enough to be able to come back to riding about 10 years ago and to use this knowledge of Scotland's hidden landscapes alongside my horse obsession.

​My horse, Indi, and I have explore and experiment with the joys of travelling and camping out in Scotland, recently most often with Cara.  Further afield I have also ridden narrow paths high in the Andes on wooden saddles, tried driving loose ponies between the glaciers across the interior of Iceland and ridden Tennessee Walking Horses through the wilds of Canada. I have also been able to develop my own abilities through learning some of the techniques of natural horsemanship, opening my eyes to the fantastic range of possibilities these fabulous and willing animals can give us.

With Wilder Ways, I want to use some of this experience to enable other riders' adventures.  All our routes aim to give a variety of riding experiences along tested routes and paths along with the fun of travelling with a horse, even sometimes camping out.
 
It also gives me the opportunity to share another interest, that of home-grown, home-cooked food and other areas of self-sufficiency (ever tried lard soap?). All our meals aim to use locally sourced produce and it's really important to us that we maintain a high level of environmental responsibility.

Beithean

​Being Nikki and Cara’s daughter, I've grown up around horses and riding for as long as I can remember!

From learning the ropes on our Shetland, Midge, to going trekking in Iceland aged 7, & now getting the opportunity to become a horseback archer… I've had some pretty great experiences!

I’ve been given the wonderful opportunity of teaching younger riders how my mum taught me. I spend my time at the farm helping with our saddle club, making fun meals and cakes & helping with the animals such as training our sheepdog Moss.

​Right now I’m with Wilder Ways part time, however I'm going to university in September to study marine biology. The experiences and life skills I’ve gained working at Wilder Ways will stay with me forever.

Olivia

​I’ve been around horses and the outdoors all my life. I started riding when I was 3 years old. Being brought up around horses I very quickly picked up an obsession for them which has grown as the years have gone on.

My mum has been riding for all her life and has taught me everything she knows over the years including how to ride. I’ve competed at many competitions all over England, Scotland and Wales from showing to eventing; coming home with many rosettes and prizes.
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After leaving school in 2017 I went on to study level 3 equine care and management at Newton Rigg college in Penrith where I spent 2 years learning about horse behavior, biology and different aspects of caring for a horse.
 
In June 2020 I moved to Scotland and came across Wilder Ways. I knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to pursue something that I was passionate about, so I jumped at the opportunity and haven’t looked back since. Here I have met some incredible people from all over the world and made lots of new friends whilst also learning many new things not only about the horses but myself. There really is no better feeling than being on horse-back looking out onto the beautiful Scottish views!

Megan

​ I have been lucky enough to find myself in the most fortunate of circumstances in becoming the new Marketing and Communications Graduate for Wilder Ways.

My role is to connect Wilder Ways with the public, and our past & potential guests, ensuring the online relationship you have with us is seamless!
The thing that sparked my interest with the position at Wilder Ways wasn’t just the job role, but also the outdoorsy, rustic charm that the team provide, and I believe that having the same ethics and beliefs as the company you are working for is the key to good marketing.

I love enjoying life as al-fresco and sustainably as I can, with my favourite outdoor hobbies including cycling, dog walking and a bit of running.
I had a taste of horse riding when I was a wee girl and absolutely loved the independence it gave me, finding it amazing how, at a compact age of 8, I was given control of this enormous animal.
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I’m thoroughly looking forward to getting stuck in, getting to know you all and becoming an integral part of the Wilder Ways team!