The Blair Castle Trekking Centre is set in the grounds of the Castle itself, adjacent to the Deer Park. The Centre has been running since the 1950’s, when the 10th Duke of Atholl decided to find summer employment for the ponies used to carry stags and grouse off the hill during the sporting season.

The Centre is approved by the Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland (TRSS), and all the staff are qualified, friendly and familiar with Atholl Estates.

The ponies used on Atholl are traditional Highland Ponies, Scotland’s largest native pony breed. Their main job on the estate for the past 250 years has been to carry the culled deer off the surrounding hills during the stalking season. To do this they must have an exceptionally quiet and docile nature, or, to use a horsey term, be ‘bomb proof’. They also have exceptional surefootedness and good balance.

These qualities make our ponies fantastic for trekking ponies, ideal for the nervous beginner or older rider, but fun enough for the experienced rider too. Here at Blair Castle, our emphasis is on safety and scenery!

The trekking centre is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays) from 1st April 2009, and Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays) from 1st July to mid September.

Guide to riding abilities

Beginner: A person who has never ridden, or only ridden at a walking pace.
Novice: A person who is capable of walking and has performed some trotting.
Intermediate: A person who is competent and capable up to and including a rising trot, has performed some cantering and is able to apply the correct aids to stop a horse.
Experienced: A person who is competent and capable at the canter, has performed some galloping and jumping using correct aids.
Very Experienced: A person who is competent and capable and can demonstrate the correct aids in all disciplines including jumping and is comfortable riding a forward going horse.