Horses

As tour season quietens off for us, we do very much, welcome tours throughout the winter, for those who want to experience the invigorating Orkney winter weather

Hoof trimming continues for me, throughout the year, with most horses needing their feet trimmed every 4-8 weeks. I am heading to the island Shapinsay to do some trimming, its a short journey on Orkney Ferries

With Various sizes of horses that I do, the Shetland pony, is the smallest, and at Hools Shetland Pony Stud they are all well behaved.

Exciting new tour

I am going to be adding a new tour which is very exciting for me, one that will include a shoeing demonstration and stories of how life was in the time of the working horse, as well as sampling some of Orkneys delicious food and drink produce. Lots going on and things to get sorted for it, but I am very excited to try it!

Winter Weather

A chance to do some reading

With shorter days for us, around 7 hours of daylight, a good book is needed and it’s nice to re-read some and the chance to purchase another from the The Orcadian Book Shop in Kirkwall, Orkney

I am going to start on ‘Fatal Passage’ by Ken McGoogan, which I bought last winter. The story of John Rae, the Orcadian Arctic explorer and really so much more, as he befriended the first nations people, it is a glimpse into their lives also

Myself and Davey have a quiet time over the festivities, we will do a bit of visiting and eat nice things. The fire on and a bit of music, I am sure we will get a few wet and windy days before we see 2026 so a few bracing walks will be had, this one https://youtu.be/PB-nhjLCQH8 you can see the water coming through the Hole O Rowe, a sea stack with a hole worn through by the crashing of waves from the Atlantic, that batters it. It is not far from “skara brae” – The Ness of Brodgar Project

See you in 2026

From our house to yours, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and all the Very Best for 2026 where we hope to see you and show you some of Orkneys wonderful scenery and sites