We landed in Scotland yesterday afternoon in the port of Cairnryan. From there we drove the 55 min to our place in Ayr, where we went for a walk on the beach and found a nice spot called "The Waterfront" for a really good supper.
Today we went out to Blackstone Farms for a trek on their Clydesdales. We got a tour of their farm from the owner John, and met almost all of their horses (they have 20+ head), their highland cattle, chickens, and peacocks. They had peacock chicks and alpacas also! We were the only visitors on this rainy Scottish day ("a good taste of true Scottish weather", as our trek guide Maddie put it). Their tallest horse is a gelding called Captain, who is over 19 hands high! A giant. Our mounts were also no small creatures, as Abe (Casey's) was well over 17hh, and mine, a mare named Gem, wasn't too much smaller. We told the owners we're competent riders in westerns saddles, so they gave us these two knowing we could handle them.
However, Abe had something else in mind and gave Case quite a time the whole way! He was a hot headed guy who kept trying to take off every chance he got. Gem didn't get too spicy until we went in the pasture with the yearling mares, two of which were her foals, each a year apart. Then things got a little hairy! Abe took off first, but Case was able to out muscle him and get him back to us, but Gem was hell-bent on home once she saw what he was up to. There was no way I was going to be able to pull hard enough for her to stop, and when she gave a good little buck, I just let her have her head and enjoyed the ride across the pasture at full tilt! Case and Abe came in a close second, and our guide Maddie followed up on her mount Missy at a complete dawdle haha! She looked pretty horrified at what just happened and said that she's never seen anything like that before, as well that Gem was typically the horse they put the children and grannies on... I'd personally like to see it after that performance! These horses are beyond strong, and although many people would like to think they're all huge gentle giants that aren't going to take off on anyone, I guess that's not the case.
We don't blame them for not wanting to be out in the cold rain, so we headed in and had a nice cup of tea and visit with the owners. Tomorrow we head to Glasgow to catch a train up to Oban, where we'll be taking a ferry to the small island of Kerrera to spend a few days!
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| One of the main driving horses. All of them are broke to drive and ride though! |
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| The coos! (Heilan Coo: Scottish breed of cattle) |
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| Super curious, and very friendly! |
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| These are all cows and heifers, no bulls! |
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| A dun coo and her white calf |
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| They're a really petite breed! And a little too friendly at times; gotta watch those horns. |
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| She had great dreads! |
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| Casey on Abe, me on Gem; post runaway |
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| Still smiling though! |
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| Gem |
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| Right before take off |
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| Back in the pen, where it wouldn't have been too bad to fall (even though it's quite a ways up), on their all-weather turf |
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| Ticked that the ride is over already |
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| One of the views on the coastal route to Ayr |
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| Fresh seafood platter at The Waterfront |
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| High Street clock tower |
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| Ayr's high street |
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| Pre-run |
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| All in all it was a great day! We missed our horse time, and the fresh air was needed! |
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