KILLIECHRONAN PONY TREKKING ISLE OF MULL

THE MONUMENT RIDE

The monument ride is called so because it takes you up to a magnificent view point where a monument stands to remember a past owner of the Killiechronan estate. With amazing scenery throughout the ride with plenty of opportunity to spot deer and lots of bird life including golden and sea eagles. The sea eagles nest high on the hill above Killiechronan and can be spotted almost daily passing overhead to catch fish in the loch. This ride follows a rough track so is ideal for novices as it has to be ridden at a steady pace, though there is an oportunity for a canter in the woods at the top for the more experienced. It is an ideal way to let the horses do the work and take you to the top of the hill for amazing views of Ben more, Loch na Keal, the Gribun rocks and the islands of Eorsa, Inch Kenneth and Iona, and on the way back down are views across the sound of Mull to Morven and the hills beyond.

THE BEACH RIDE

The beach ride is for the more experienced as the ponies like to canter along the sand, though some take it more steady than others. The beach is also only accessable at low tide so if you'd prefer a beach ride please ask when booking. The lower the tide the more sand you get to canter along so spring tides are the best. This ride is another great opportunity to spot the white tailed sea eagles which like to sit at the waters edge and just watch us go by, otters are sometimes seen on the shore and salmon can be seen jumping in the river Ba, one of the best Salmon rivers on Mull permits are available from the estate. Both Fallow and Red deer are often seen grazing the fields which reach the shore line, the horses do not frighten other animals like we do so the best way to see wildlife is on horseback.

LOCH BA

Loch Ba means Loch of the cattle and is owned by the Ben More estate. This ride extends the beach ride to a 2 or 3 hour ride. It takes you past Knock house and then down the Lochside past Ben More lodge and also gives you views of Gruline house. A great opportunity to see lots of deer including a rare albino fallow deer which is regularly seen on this ride.

THE OAK WOOD

Another good ride for novices as it follows a track up hill through one of the oldest oak woods in the country though does have one or two opportunities for a canter. Also a good poor weather ride as you get some shelter in the trees. Now and again through gaps in the trees you get glances of breathtaking views across to Ben More and on the way back down across Loch na Keal to Loch Ba and the mountains behind. In the summer this ride has an abundance of butterflies and wild flowers amongst the moss covered twisted, ancient oak trees.

THE LOCH

This ride takes you through the woods to a small fishing Loch. If the weather has been dry as it gets very muddy, this ride can be extended to a 2 or 3 hour ride over the hill to Aros mains and Aros castle. It follows an old drovers road which can be rough in places but there are lots of opportunities for a canter in others.