“Take your rain gear,” was our morning announcement.  Clouds rolled in the sky and a light mist fell on us.  Undaunted, we ventured along a former stage coach route. Soon we were so remote into the Scottish highland that cows and sheep ceased to be our companions. We were beyond roads, bike trails and hiking paths. I felt as if we were trekking into the unexplored! The rain turned into a downpour and we hastened to an old stagecoach inn for lunch and some warmth from a fire built in the fireplace.

The inn marked the half way point of the trail but despite the rain, we determined to continue along the trail.  We were rewarded with a summit view of over 32 lochs!  The silvery lighting which makes Scotland so famous was highlighted by the clouds above and the mist on the lakes.  The effect was mythical!

Our stamina was tested with extended trots and canters across purple heather hills and boggy moorlands. Even though I had ridden and worked out in preparation for this, my abs were aching!  We passed the ruins of ancient settlements and the historic Chapel of St. Columba nestled within the ferns. As we rode, the hills folding into one another created a dramatic sight.

As each day past, my attempts to be alone waned as I found myself drawn into the evening conversation.  A bond created only by people who share the same passion for horse and adventure and the same challenging experiences was forming.  We laughed about our Scottish day of relentless rain and how my hands had been blackened by my wet riding gloves.  We marveled about the horses’ innate ability to navigate the challenging trails and we shared fascinating stories about our lives. The environmentalist told us that a suitable housewarming gift in Kyrgyzstan was a baby camel.  The photographer shared glimpses of working with the British Royal family.  Another shared her experience as a riding stunt double in a movie filmed nearby.  As I retired for the evening, I began to realize this vacation was becoming more than riding a horse across a land.