Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys
Welcome to the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys
beautiful peace of scotland

 

Ettrick & Yarrow Valleys - that's the place for horse riding

 

Horse riding is one of the most traditional, popular and enjoyable sports in the Scottish Borders - come and try it at one of the centres in or near to the valleys.  The stables at Bowhill offer a good range of trekking horses to suit all abilities from beginner to experienced riders, as well as smaller lead rein ponies for younger riders.  All treks are predominantly off-road on tracks, forest trails and moorland, and the horses are well schooled and well trained.  This is a beautiful part of the countryside for a gentle trek in peaceful surroundings.

 Ian Stark Equestrian Centre, close to Selkirk offers riding lessons and expansive hacking and trekking.  The centre, which is British Horse Society approved, has over 40 horses and ponies and is open 7 days a week.  All instructors are first aid trained and have full disclosures.

Or you can bring your own horse(s) on holiday too!  At Sunrise in Ettrickbridge, you can relax in comfortable accommodation while keeping an eye on your horses in the adjoining paddock.  There is safe and secure grazing with stabling if required.  You can either stay in the self-catering mobile home or over the road at The Cross Keys - whichever you prefer.

And if you just want to watch displays of horsemanship - then the Borders' towns are home to some of the world's oldest equestrian festivals - the Common Ridings.  These commemorate a turbulent past when town boundaries were defended on horseback against fearsome marauders.  Watch as Standard Bearers enact ancient ceremonies and experience the exhilaration of hundreds of riders galloping past amid a flurry of banners. 

Selkirk Common Riding boasts one of the largest cavalcades of horses in Europe and is uniquely famous for its very moving 'Casting of the Colours' ceremony which takes place in the market square, once the riders have returned.


Map

click here for a map of activities in the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys

Events
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24 June 2017


Dig Bowhill An Introduction to Archaeology Workshop

3 hr Workshops starting 10am and 1.30 suitable for 14+yrs £10 per sesion

The landscape of the Bowhill Estate is rich in archaeological remains from many different eras. To celebrate Visit Scotland’s year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, we are hosting an introduction to archaeology aimed at beginners.

A stone’s throw away from our courtyard lies the site of a pre-Roman fort. In four sessions, lasting 3 hours each, we plan to investigate this site using a series of test pits to try to better understand this part of Bowhill’s ancient past. The finds will be analysed post-excavation with the help of experts, and participants will have the chance to attend a presentation on the results.

If you have an interest in archaeology, come and join us for as many of the sessions as you like over the weekend. All materials and instruction provided.

Workshops at 10.00am and 1.30pm, lasting 3 hours each.

Not suitable for under 14s.

Booking essential. For more information or to secure your place, please call 01750 22204 or email [email protected].

Date: 24 June 2017

Saturday Ranger Club Bowhill Eastate

Bowhill House suitable for 6yrs and over £5.00 per child

eturning for a second year our Saturday Club will bring some of the fun of Holiday Club to the weekends, a chance to leave the parents behind and get out for some woodland fun! Running throughout the season sessions will include favourites like den building along with some bush craft, fire lighting and woodland games.

The club is suitable for age 6 and over. Over 8’s can be left unattended.

Price: £5 per child.

Booking recommended. To secure your place, please call 01750 22204 or email [email protected].

Date: 24 June 2017

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