Cara
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I was a rural surveyor by trade and a specialist in renewable energy, 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 started 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 horses and the partnerships we can achieve, and I have been really fortunate to have had some great learning experiences over the years; starting off with Pearl Cranna my riding instructor, lifelong friend and mentor, to more recently training with the natural horse-master, Peter Campbell in Canada and Vladimir Mustakerski in Bulgaria. I have practiced Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli methods, and I love the ways of Tom Dorrance’s ‘True Unity’, but every day is a school day and I am constantly seeking new knowledge. Via Wilder Ways, we now want to invite you to join our adventures. We are passionate about enabling people to access the wilds, whilst being committed to building confidence in horses and riders through adventure and play. |
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Nikki
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I’ve loved horse-riding since I was a girl and used to blag riding lessons in exchange for mucking out. By the age of 14 I’d saved up enough for a cheap, partly-trained Welshie, much to my mother’s annoyance – I learnt self-reliance early as she point-blank refused to have anything to do with him. He taught me how to stick on, horse care and an enduring love for the freedom horses can give you.
After graduating in Environmental Science and working as a botanist in South America, I set up my own ecology consultancy and spent the next 25 years as a freelance ecologist, wandering the mountains of Scotland with a map and pencil, monitoring our wildest places. I met Cara in The Fannich Hills and our friendship rekindled my love of horses. Within Wilder Ways my particular passion is the joy of empowerment; taking women who feel they ‘can’t’ to getting the buzz you can only feel from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, trying, and finding they can. I particularly love horse archery which I find to be one of the most exhilarating and affirming things you can do on a horse. Wilder Ways has also provided me with a million opportunities to get to know horses, what they need, what motivates them and to continue to seek ways to improve their lives and our relationship with them. |
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Christina
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I am a huge animal lover, have a great love for the outdoors and countryside and love being busy, so when I saw that Wilder Ways were advertising a housekeeper position in 2021, I knew it would be perfect for me.
At the age of 7 I was able to do horse riding classes for around a year and made some memories that I’ll never forget. I love horses so being surrounded by them here at Wilder Ways is amazing. Once I started working here I was able to ride again for the first time in over 10 years! Now, Hilary takes me out on hacks with Rio, which has been so special! I’ve had some amazing experiences working here, like doing horseback archery and bottle feeding a little lamb (Loki, who is now a fully grown wether, still comes to see me for cuddles!). Since starting with Wilder Ways, I’m now solely in charge of the housekeeping and have taken on an increasing amount of cooking – I never realised how much I love feeding people! In the quieter time and winter months I now also complete the bookkeeping and this year will start training for my AAT Bookkeeping qualifications. Whilst you might not often see me on the yard, Cara and Nikki tell me I’m the glue that sticks us all together.
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Hilary
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I’ve been pony obsessed as long as I can remember. I took weekly riding lessons my whole childhood before working weekends on yards as a teenager, so by 2020 I could eventually afford to look after a pony of my own, my lovely wee cob, Rio. I first came to Wilder Ways as part of my work placement module for my degree in Equine Business Management with the University of the Highlands and Islands. As expected, I immediately loved it here. It was an obvious choice for Rio and I to take up the opportunity to move here when Nikki and Cara offered me a job on the yard after a few days of being on placement. My day to day now involves caring for the Wilder Ways ponies and ensuring all of their needs are met, as well as tailing rides and chatting away to our guests, alongside completing the last 2 years of my degree! This is absolutely perfect for me as I love being outside in nature, meeting new people, and of course spending every day with the ponies! |
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Beithean
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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! Over the years I have enjoyed several stints at Wilder Ways, from wonderful opportunities to teach younger riders as my mum taught me, to working in the kitchen, tending the garden and helping with the animals. The experiences and life skills I’ve gained working for Wilder Ways will stay with me forever. |
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In recent years I’ve been increasingly working with the horses and enjoy any opportunity to practice my own horseback archery. In 2022 I’ve even wrangled in some of my friends to volunteer for Wilder Ways which has been lovely to share this place with them. Whilst technically I am off travelling the world at the moment, Mum & Cara still rope me back in whenever they can.
Volunteers
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There is always something to do around the farm, in the house or with the horses and in addition to our permanent team, we couldn’t get through everything without the help of the herd of volunteers who have joined us over the years. Our volunteer program attracts people from all over the world to come and spend some time helping us our here at Wilder Ways in return for their bed and board, training, time with the horses and other animals and a general top up of soul food from the farm. A big thank you to you all.
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