Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

In this article, you can get information about the rural enterprise Highlands Unbridled based in Brora and run by Graham and Jan O'Neill.

What's your enterprise and where is it based?

Highlands Unbridled offers Pony Trekking from our stables in Brora and Coast to Coast Trail Riding Holidays throughout the north of Scotland

We are open all year round and offer pony trekking on the beach and through the forests and hills in the Brora and Golspie area. We cater for all abilities and ages and do rides of half hour, one hour and two hour, plus half and full day rides. Being situated just metres from the beach, we are in the perfect location to offer Coast to Coast Trail Rides. We offer two Coast to Coast option - a Northern and a Southern route, plus a ride that takes in all three coasts of Scotland - East, North and West. We also offer the longest ride in the UK riding to all three coasts and returning to the East. We have new routes planned for later this year.

How many people are involved?

Two full time all year - plus another two full time during the summer and part time volunteer staff.

Why did you decide to start the business?

To combine a love of horses with a love of the wild land beautiful landscape around us. To allow us to work with both and share our experiences with other people.

Where did you go for help and advice?

Business Gateway.

Did you get any financial support or funding?

None at all. It's been very tough, and we've invested everything in our business, so we really have to make it work!

What's been your greatest achievement so far?

Getting started! Seriously though, being listed in Horse and Hound magazines '20 Rides to do before you die' feature was pretty cool! However, I really think our greatest achievement is getting repeat bookings from our guests - we must be doing something right and it gives us a real sense of satisfaction. We always say our job is giving people memories to keep forever - and we love it!

If you were to do it again, would you do anything differently?

Be more assertive! Stick to what you believe in and don't get side tracked trying to keep other people happy. I felt we were being pushed around by banks/local authorities/funding bodies who wanted us to conform to their idea of what we should offer. We do not want to be a big, slick, fancy, money making machine type stables - we are happy being small, rustic and friendly, offering unique products and making our guests and ourselves happy.

What's your top tip for other budding entrepreneurs?

Just be prepared to work longer hours than you ever have for less financial return! Money isn't everything - job satisfaction and the freedom of being your own boss more than make up for it. You might never be rich, but you can't buy happiness - go for it!

Find out more

Highlands Unbridled website.

Your Enterprise archive