The Eriskay pony is a breed native to Scotland and has roamed freely on The Holy Isle, off Arran's eastern coastline, since the 1970s.

They’re one of Britain's rarest native pony breeds, and alongside a small Buddhist community, Saanen goats and Soay sheep, they live largely undisturbed.

The hike to the Mullach Mòr peak takes roughly 3.5 hours, and it’s not an easy climb. Some stretches are near vertical, the flies can be horrendous in summer and the marsh areas have a habit of swallowing your foot up over the ankle. So, it was a somewhat tricky task to keep the family’s spirits up when, for the first 2.5 hours, not a single pony was to be found. 

Thankfully, on the way down in one of the valleys we came across a beautiful herd. Different groups, some with new foals, and some grazing on their own. 

The pony here was leading his group to the brilliantly green grass on the slope. He stopped to look around, making sure the rest of his group was not far behind him. At that moment, the wind caught his mane as the sun cast a beautiful glow along his crest and back. 

This breed is generally grey, having faded from the black coat the foals are born with. Photographing this black beauty was a very special moment. 

Prints are available in various sizes on fine art paper, as acrylic glass prints as well as on aluminum. Framing is also available.