NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND MEDIA RELEASE
14 May 2012
Holiday with Your Horse on Mar Lodge Estate
Introductory Accommodation Offer Lets Your Steed Go FREE!
In a first for the Grampiansregion, Mar Lodge Estate has been accredited by The British Horse Society as an Approved Centre for the UK-wide Horses Welcome scheme. For equestrian enthusiasts looking to holiday with their horse,a visit to Mar Lodge Estate under the Horses Welcomeschemeprovidesunprecedented access to over 72,000 acres of the spectacular Cairngorms.
As an introductory offer for those booking a mid-week, four-night stay in one of Mar Lodge’s very comfortable apartments between now and the end of August, horses go entirely free (subject to availability).
Mar Lodge Estate is set among some of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Scotland. Within its boundaries lie four of the five highest peaks in the UK, with opportunities for skilled riders to experience the estate’s wild-land qualities, yet there are also miles of tracks around the lower glensto suit the less adventurous.
According to the estate’s manager, David Frew: “We are really pleased to be offering this new, accredited service. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, we are determined to develop a host of thriving equine tourism opportunities to add to all that we do to promote access for walkers and those in search of wild landscapes. Horses are made to feel at home here, and we can offer visiting owners the peace of mind which comes with secure paddocks within sight of the Lodge, safe tack storage, parking for lorries and trailers, as well asdrying facilities.”
As a sporting estate, Mar Lodge Estate is no stranger to horse stewardship, with Highland Garron ponies used after traditional fashion to help bring culled deer back to the larder after a hard day’s stalking in the hills. The picture shows Glen, an 18-year-old working Highland Garron, flanked by British Horse Society inspector, Kirsty Logue (left), and Mar Lodge Estate employee, Fiona McCulloch, who is helping to develop the estate’s equestrian tourism ambitions.
On her recent inspection visit to the estate, Kirsty Logue commented: “There’s nothing quite like Mar Lodge Estate in our Horses Welcome stable. It offers so much in terms of unparalleled access and variety. Access to the estate is straightforward by horsebox or trailer. It lies off the main A93, about 90 miles north of Edinburgh and 40 south of Aberdeen. Facilities for horse and rider alike are excellent. Those looking for comfort would find Mar Lodge hard to beat.”
To find out more about the Horses Welcome package and introductory offer, contact Fiona McCulloch at Mar Lodge Estate by calling 01339 720163 or emailing her at . Alternatively, follow the links to the Horses Welcome website at For enquiries about any other National Trust for Scotland holiday property, go to or call the Holidays Team on 0844 493 2108.
- ENDS -
National Trust for Scotland Press Office.
Contact Simon Fairclough on
01339 720163 or 07710 472731.
Editor’s Notes:
The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.You can join the National Trust for Scotland for as little as £5.50 per month for a family. To become a member, visit
The British Horse Society is the UK’s foremost equestrian charity with more than 111,000 members enjoying a range of benefits and services. The Society ensures that everyone gets the most out of their relationship with horses, and that every horse is protected and cared for. Its charitable activities are far reaching and include preventing horse abuse and neglect through education, improving access to bridleways and horse and rider safety.
1
SF/C:\Documents and Settings\cdoran\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK7B\Horse Welcome 120503 (3).doc