The Wild Boar Trail is a six day, seven night 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 150 Km in length and is mostly over private lands with little road work.
Guests arrive either using their own transport, or are met at Glasgow Airport and taken to their comfortable hotel accommodation near Tarbert. After settling in, guests meet their guides and get a briefing on the week ahead.
Riders are introduced to their horses, which are all
specially chosen to suit their rider’s needs. Our horse's good nature and
stamina ensure they will handle the most challenging of terrain be it soft peaty
ground, steep hillside tracks, the crossing of fast flowing rivers or high
mountain passes. The rider's safety and enjoyment is always our primary concern.
The first day is spent getting to know our horses, and riding
around Brenfield’s extensive hillside and forestry tracks.
The second day, The Wild Boar Trail takes you through the hills
and forests, along the picturesque Crinan Canal to lunch at the Cairnbaan Hotel,
then back into the forests ending up at an old croft situated on the site
of a deserted 'highland clearance' village.
The trail continues south towards Loch Sween then turns
north through the forest to a
picnic lunch, with dramatic views of the Inner Hebrides. After lunch we
continue down
to Crinan and onto the beach. Tide permitting, a fast gallop and
perhaps a swim on horseback brings you into the beautiful Poltalloch
Estate with views of Duntrune Castle. The riders are transported to
their next hotel and the horses return to Brenfield for the night
.
The following morning we start where we finished the previous evening, riding on deserted country lanes up the 'Valley of the Ghosts', Kilmartin Glen. Passing numerous iron age sites, chambered cairns and the mysterious stone circle of `Temple Wood', we stop for lunch at the Kilmartin House Heritage Centre where there is time to learn more about the fascinating history of this part of Mid Argyll. From Kilmartin we ride up and through the woods to 16th century Carnasserie Castle, and on to Ederline, nestling at the foot of Loch Awe, where the horses stay for the night .
The trail now follows the old drove road between Ederline and Auchindrain. On the way we visit the chapel of St. Columba at Kilneuir. Then high into the hills ( stunning views in all directions ) and over the ridge to Auchindrain Museum of Country Life.
The route continues up steep bracken-clad slopes, then
follows open countryside with the opportunity to jump natural ditches. A steep
descent then takes us through ancient natural Oak Forest to `Queen Victoria's
Road' on Douglas Water,. and to the shores of Loch Fyne. The trail ends after a
ride through the magnificent parkland of the Inveraray Castle Estate, ancestral
home of the Dukes of Argyll.
Note: The above itinerary is an approximate description of the trail. The route may vary due to many factors, such as forestry work, farming activities or deer stalking, making detours necessary. Locations of night stops can in some circumstances, vary too. The trails starting at Inveraray are generally a reverse of this itinerary, and are subject to the same influences affecting routes and accommodation.
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