Castles of Argyll Trail

The Highlands is one of the most beautiful parts of the British Isles. The purple heather, the crisp blue sky, the green hills and the gray rocks have inspired writers and painters for centuries. This is an area of historic importance with ruins of the Iron Age and Bronze Age and great natural beauty. Much of the land is inaccessible to the automobile, but not to the horse.
This is a weeklong ride from Brenfield, Ardrishaig, located near the Eastern end of the Crinan Canal. The trail takes you in a sweeping arc from the shores of Loch Fyne, over incomparable countryside to the west coast and views of the Inner Hebrides, then inland, past Loch Awe and over the mountains, back to Loch Fyne and Inveraray, seat of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. The ride is about 100 miles in length and is mostly over private lands with little road work.

IT-UKSCB1
Rates include  7 nights accommodations all meals except 3 dinners, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 4,045  Single: + $380
          -- based on GBP 1,985 / 185
2008 Dates:
05/31-06/07    06/28-07/05    07/12-07/19 08/16-08/23    09/20-09/27

Meeting:   Argyll
Airport:     Glasgow
Transfer:  Included from Glasgow
                  airport at set times
Level:        Strong intermediate +
Horses:      Scottish hunter, native
                  Highland, or Cob.
Tack:        Western, Endurance, English
Pace:         Moderate to Fast with trots and canters - You will ride 5 to 6 hours  covering more than 20 miles each day
Min/Max: 3-10 riders

Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from the Glasgow airport at pre-set time (usually around noon). You will be taken to your first hotel, the Loch Fyne Hotel (or similar) in Inverary. The hotel is of a good four-star standard with swimming pool and spa - and magnificent views overlooking the loch. In the evening you will meet with your trail host and discuss the following week over dinner. This trail is ideal for non-riders to join their riding partners, as there is plenty for them to do and they can meet the ride at lunch time in most cases.
Day 2: Riders are collected from their hotel after a true Scottish breakfast, and transported to Castle Riding Centre. Here you are assessed and matched to your horse, and then the trail begins. The route takes you through the hills and forests to the picturesque Crinan Canal and lunch at the Cairnbaan Inn. Then the trail continues down the Crinan Canal to the estuary of the River Add with an exhilarating gallop across the sands. When the tide is higher you may enjoy swimming with your horse. The day ends near the 12th century castle of Duntrune, home to the chief of the Clan McCallum and also home to a well authenticated ghost. You are then transported to your next hotel.
Day 3: You now ride west through the beautiful Poltalloch Estate to Ardifuir, with its massive Broch. Lunch is provided at Ardifuir by Andy Malcolm, son of the Clan Chief, who is sometimes able to host the lunch in person. In the afternoon, the ride proceeds over the Poltalloch hills through bracken and heather to high points overlooking the island of the inner Hebrides. Between the island of Scarba and Jura the Corrievreckan whirlpool can be seen--at a mile wide, the second largest whirlpool in the world after the Maelstrom. Its roar can sometimes be heard ten miles away. After climbing to some of the highest points you ride past old ruins of villages from the Clearances two hundred years ago. The trail then leads down to Slockavullin where the horses spend the night, the riders move on to their next accommodation. This day offers those capable to jump some small stone walls.
Day 4: The ride starts from Slockavullin and passes the mysterious stone circle of "Temple Wood" and a number of Burial Chambers in Kilmartin Glen, know as the "Valley of the Ghosts." Kilmartin Heritage Museum provides the riders with a delicious and unique lunch. The trail then rejoins Kilmartin Glen and visits 16th century Carnassarie Castle, where the bible was first translated into Gaelic. A climb up the tower provides magnificent views over the wide strath to the hills of Knapdale. To the north you can also see the route onwards through the hills of Ederline, nestling at the foot of Loch Awe, where the day ends. You are taken to your comfortable hotel.
Day 5: The trail follows the old drove road between Ederline and Auchindrain. This is the oldest track in Argyll and was used to drive the cattle to market. On the way there is a short detour to visit the chapel of St. Columba at Kilneuir and the road climbs high through hills and moorland, with further detours to viewpoints and around the lonely hill lochs. In warmer weather the horses may have a chance to cool off in the waters. Lunch is at the long deserted village of Carron, once a center of lead mining. The trail then leads onto Auchindrain Museum of Country Life, where the horses spend the night. You will be transported to your hotel.
Day 6: The route now climbs up steep bracken-clad slopes, then follows open countryside with the opportunity to jump natural ditches. A steep descent then takes you through the ancient natural Oak Forest to Queen Victoria's fishing pool on Douglas Water. The ride then passes an old flax mill before descending to the shores of Loch Fyne, sometimes with detours through the water, which offers the possibility of seeing seals and birds. Lunch is held at the Argyll Wildlife Park, where you can see a host of interesting animals and birds. After lunch the trail takes you over hills and through forests with a stop for a quick drink at one of the remote lochans en route. The day ends beside Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll.
Day 7: Today you will explore the magnificent parkland of the Inveraray Castle Estate, and climb the hills of Glen Shira. Glen Shira is also host to the Inveraray Horse Trials and there is an opportunity to inspect some of the obstacles on the cross-country course. Picnic lunch is provided in the Old Stables at Kilblaan, near the former hide out of Rob Roy McGregor. The afternoon ride passes Loch Dubh-the black loch, and follows on up the hill to the tower of Dun-Na-Quaiche, with views over Inveraray and Loch Fyne.
Day 8: Time to say goodbye. Transport will return guests to Glasgow Airport to end a memorable week.