where are you looking to go...
Which routes are you interested in...
Our team are here to help you find the best option to suit your goals and experience.
Simply add your details below to receive your tailored suggestions
Published: 09.09.2021
Last Updated: 28.09.2021
Every year since 1972, Jane Dotchin packs her saddlebags and sets off on a journey from her home near Hexham, Northumberland, up to Inverness in Scotland.
What makes the annual journey unique is that 80-year-old Jane travels with her 13-year-old horse Diamond, covering 600 miles on horseback.
On the 7-week pilgrimage along rural byways, Jane refuses to use maps, instead sticking to routes she knows well.
Carrying everything she needs on her back, including her tent, clothing and food; Jane covers between 15 and 20 miles a day.
As well as Diamond, she is accompanied by her disabled Jack Russell dog Dinky, who has deformed front legs and travels in a saddle bag.
Their adventure is low-maintenance, with Jane digging a hole for her bathroom and collecting water from local streams.
Her process is simple: eat a simple diet of porridge, oatcakes, and cheese. Re-supply along the way, never carrying too much at once.
She carries an old Nokia mobile phone, with a battery which lasts 6 weeks!
Jane is often dismayed by the amount of littering she sees while on her hike.
Cumbernauld is the fly tipping capital of Britain. There are some lovely people there who let me camp, but some of it is so disgusting and shameful.<span class="su-quote-cite">Jane Dotchin</span>
In addition, campervans on single track roads have also become a more persistent problem.
Drivers just didn’t seem to know how wide they were, I was forever just about getting swept off the roads by them<span class="su-quote-cite">Jane Dotchin</span>
But despite challenges, Jane has no plans to stop her yearly strolls.
There is always something interesting happening and there is never a dull moment,<span class="su-quote-cite">Jane Dotchin</span>
Jane has written a book about her adventures, available from Amazon:
[amazon bestseller=”Jane Dotchin” items=”1″]In 2020, The British Horse Society recognized Jane’s unique achievement, giving her its Exceptional Achievement award.
Let’s hope she’s able to keep the tradition alive for many years to come!
