Horsing around in Angus

First things first - horses and I don't get on. My first equestrian experience saw me collapse down a volcano on the equivalent of an Indonesian Shetland Pony. Then it was on to a mare in Queensland who thought I was a total nightmare and gave up on my riding 'skills', heading back to the stables after I struggled her through a stream that she'd tried to warn me was too deep.

It was with some trepidation then that I pitched up at the Pathhead Equestrian Centre in the Angus town of Kirriemuir. I needn't have worried too much as they are used to people like me. They cater for everyone, even total beginners looking to take the reins for the first time. They are also set up for more confident riders looking to develop their skills and expert riders wanting to test themselves and buy some equestrian gear while they are at it.

Learning to ride, Angus and Dundee

Within minutes of arriving I'd  met Sam. He looked like the world's largest ever horse, but probably in reality was not that big. I think Sam sensed my unease, but I was reassured that Sam is renowned for being quite a laidback chap, more into sneakily hanging behind and waiting for the others to come back rather than galloping on ahead. After a surprisingly easy mount we headed into their impressive indoor training area, a huge warehouse of a building floored with diced-up rubber that is ideal for soft landings!

The tuition style at Pathhead is hands-on, less about theory, more about getting time on the horses. Within minutes I was turning left and right, somehow managing to make Sam move off and on occasion even successfully persuading him to stop. We were not quite united as man and beast, but my instructor reckoned we were now ready for a bit more adventure.

Off we clipped and clopped through the streets of picturesque Kirriemuir. Riding high above cars and pedestrians was quite a buzz. The sensations engendered by my first trot were less than comfortable, but going faster was an undeniable buzz too. Soon we were into fields and the brooding peaks of the Angus Glens loomed into view. We climbed to a viewpoint right by the graveyard that holds the last resting place of J. M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, who hailed from Kirriemuir.

Peter Pan Statue, Kirriemuir, Angus

Easing back down the hill trusty Sam strode on taking me back to the equestrian centre. No drama. No disasters. Just a great horseride in a scenic part of Scotland. Horse riding in Angus these days is big news. No wonder with myriad experiences on offer, from taking the kids out on a pony or learning to ride at a riding school, right through to horse trekking in the Angus Glens or galloping across the famous sands of Lunan Bay.

After my horse ride and an Angus Glens hike in my last travel diary I am now a big fan of getting active in Angus. Tempting me back for more is the British Open championship golf course at Carnoustie, rappelling at Legaston Quarry and the designated cycle routes at Forfar and Montrose. Then there are myriad watersports with surfers, sailors, windsurfers, divers and canoeists all now bashing around Angus' beach fringed coastline. And, of course, I'll have to go back to visit my new four-legged friend, Sam, too.