Price
2026 Commons & Festivals Ride Packages
3 Nights
7 – 10 May
£2,218 per person sharing
Single supplement £330
4 Nights
18 – 22 June
8 – 12 July
29 July – 2 August
£2,866 per person sharing
Single supplement £550
5 Nights
2 – 7 August
£3,086 per person sharing
Single supplement £770.
Dates & Prices
UNITED KINGDOM
Scottish Common and Festival Rides
Overview
If you love fast-paced, heart-pounding riding adventures steeped in history and local tradition, the Scottish Commons Rides are an experience like no other. Join us in 2026 for an unforgettable hosted trip through Scotland’s Borders region — home to centuries-old riding festivals, warm hospitality, and breathtaking scenery.
The Common Ridings are among the oldest equestrian festivals in the world, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. These thrilling celebrations began as annual patrols of the town boundaries — when riders would “ride the marches” to protect their common lands. Today, they’ve evolved into spectacular cultural events filled with pride, pageantry, and pure adrenaline.
Hundreds of horses and riders gather to honour their local heritage, led by a ceremonial Standard Bearer through open moorland, river crossings, and winding lanes — cheered on by entire communities who line the route. Expect galloping stretches, music, flags flying, and plenty of Scottish spirit.
These are big, bold rides — ideal for confident, experienced riders who love fast group riding. Each day features hundreds of mounted participants and lasts around 4–5 exhilarating hours. You’ll experience everything from ceremonial parades through historic market towns to long canters over heather hills and grassy farmland.
Before the main rides, you’ll enjoy a guided familiarisation day to get comfortable with your horse and the terrain. There’s also plenty of time to soak up the local atmosphere — think hearty Scottish breakfasts, convivial group dinners, and evenings spent swapping stories over a dram of whisky.
You’ll be personally hosted by Cathy, founder of Eventful Riders — an accomplished horsewoman, adventurer, and expert in the Scottish riding season. Having attended these events, Cathy knows every detail of how to make your trip smooth, safe, and unforgettable. She’ll be there to guide you through the culture, the horses, and the chaos — always with a smile and a sense of humour.
Your mount will be one of Scotland’s best hirelings, carefully hand-selected and matched to your ability. These horses are fit, experienced, and used to the energy of the Commons — ready to give you confidence and plenty of fun on the open gallops.
Location
Kelso, Scotland
Airport
Edinburgh
Duration
3, 4 or 5 nights
When to go
May - August
Riding level
Intermediate Plus to Advanced
Weight
102 kg / 16 stone / 224 lbs
Group size
12 max
Accommodation
5-star luxury hotel
Included
Private Zara’s Planet Host throughout to guide, help and host you (in collaboration with Cathy Joyce and Eventful Riders), All accommodation, riding, fabulous hurling horses, breakfast vouchers, picnic lunches on ride days, 3 or 4 hosted dinners depending on ride, cap fees, taxes & gratitudes.
Extras
Single supplement detailed in pricing above.
Excluded
Flights, transfers and drinks
Price guarantee
All our riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book with us and will refund the difference should you find the same riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
Exchange rate
Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Transfers
We highly recommend renting a car but can help with sharing car rentals with others in the group if you like.
Departure dates
See 2026 departure dates in the Price section above.
Riding & Itinerary
Commons riding with large groups of horses. A good level of fitness required as there are long hours in the saddle. You must be able to gallop in control in open countryside in large groups of horses.
Please email us at info@zarasplanet.com for an idea of itinerary for your trip but generally each package is including a full day familiarisation riding to get the right horse match and then two days of Commons Rides.
Horses
Irish Sports Horses, Irish Draughts, Cobs & Connemara types.
Riding level
Intermediate Plus to Advanced
Type of riding
Commons riding with large groups of horses.
Tack
English GP saddles and mostly snaffle bridles with martingales.
Weight limit
102 kg / 16 stone / 224 lbs
Group size
12 max
Accommodation & Meals
Your base for the trip is the beautiful Schloss Roxburghe, a 5-star country estate nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders. You’ll stay in the Woodland Cottages, set in peaceful surroundings just a short stroll from the main hotel. Each cottage combines rustic charm with modern luxury — think open-plan living spaces, cosy sitting rooms with log burners, fully equipped kitchens, and private terraces overlooking the forest. It’s the perfect place to relax after a day in the saddle, whether you’re curling up by the fire or soaking in the quiet of the woods.
At the main hotel, guests have access to a wealth of facilities, including a world-class spa with outdoor heated pool, saunas and treatment rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, elegant bars, and stylish lounges for unwinding with a drink. Dining at Schloss Roxburghe is an experience in itself: seasonal Scottish produce is at the heart of every meal, from refined evening dishes in the Sunlaws Restaurant to relaxed bites in the charming courtyard or bar.
Each morning, you’ll enjoy a traditional Scottish breakfast — a hearty start to the day featuring favourites such as free-range eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, tattie scones, mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes, often accompanied by local jams, porridge, and freshly baked bread. It’s the perfect fuel for a long, exhilarating day on horseback.
Accommodation
5-star luxury hotel
Single Supplement
Single supplement applies
Meals
Inform us about food allergies and intolerances
Drinks
Drinks payable
The Destination
Set in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Kelso is one of the region’s most charming market towns, sitting at the meeting point of the River Tweed and River Teviot, just an hour from Edinburgh and close to the English border. This is a landscape made for riding — rolling hills, wide open farmland, quiet country lanes and miles of off-road tracks, all steeped in history. The Borders are known for their strong equestrian heritage, none more so than the famous annual Common Ridings — vibrant local festivals where riders take to the saddle to celebrate centuries-old traditions, community spirit and the protection of town boundaries. With its cobbled square, independent shops, welcoming pubs and views of the impressive Floors Castle, Kelso offers the perfect blend of history, scenery and authentic Scottish charm.
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