A WEE CANTER IN
SCOTLAND
by Allison Black Goldberg
W
hen it finally came time to start making travel plans again, and to celebrate our first month making money, my business partner Rebecca and I decided to start with Scotland. Both of our families originated in Scotland, and I had raved about my riding trips to Scotland for years so I convinced her that she could do it. Of course, it helped that we didn’t choose a Border Ride to start with, but instead, a nice leisurely riding trip, at a glorious 16th century castle in Lauder. I wanted to celebrate my birthday in Scotland and Rebecca saw an opportunity to promote Brave Horse overseas. So, ignoring the fact that April weather in Scotland can be rather iffy at best, we signed up. But let me back up a bit. I mentioned the Border Rides. Honestly, I wish I could plug in a link to a video in this article, but instead I must try to explain. Many centuries ago, the Scottish clans of the Borderlands, the area that borders England, would organize the strongest fighters of the villages to periodically ride the perimeter of their lands. Their mission was to protect their own borders, engaging and repelling any and all marauders from stealing their sheep, their crops and of course, defiling their women. Bear in mind that Scottish warriors of that time were ruthless in battle and took no quarter, especially from the English. These guys meant business. Every clan in the region had their own ‘ride-outs’, accompanied by deep traditions and ceremony. These efforts served to protect the clans until the 18th century when England
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finally conquered Scotland and dissolved the clans and took their lands. But fast forward to the late 19th century when several villages in the Borders decided to revive their ride-outs, also known a Common Rides, as a ceremonial ride, otherwise known in Scotland as an excuse to ride fast horses, listen to bagpipes and drink. Each Ride is part of a village festival where all are welcome to join in, even women. Even, Americans! Now here’s where the video would help. Try to imagine three hundred riders mounted on huge Dutch warmblood/draft crosses thundering across an open field and up a hillside at flat-out gallop, stopping only for a sip of whisky from a requisite hip flask, for anywhere from 3 to 4 hours or more. I have found nothing in the States or anywhere on earth as exhilarating or terrifying as the Border rides of Scotland. June 2022
