FISH IN SCOTLAND 2020 visitscotland.com For over 50 years, Mortimer’s of Grantown on Spey has supplied fishing tackle, clothing and footwear to discerning sportsmen and women from all over the world. We stock every conceivable quality accessory including the full range of new and antique Hardy tackle together with a vast range of tackle and equipment from other manufacturers. We also hold a range of shooting accessories and ammunition and even have our very own ‘Mortimer’s’ range of single malt whisky. We are a dealer in optics by Swarovski Viking and Vortex and carry everything that you could possibly need for outdoor pursuits. With a large selection of bronzes, we specialise in mail-order, just give us a call or visit our website where you can order on-line. Supplying tackle, equipment and clothing is only part of our service. We also supply salmon fishing permits from the Strathspey Angling Association (see advert below). Tuition can be arranged with our experienced ghillies and with the use of the best tackle - hired from us! Mortimer’s, 3 High Street, Grantown on Spey, Moray, Scotland PH26 3HB. Tel: 01479 872 684 Email: [email protected] S.A.I.A. Mortimer’s, 3 High Street, Grantown on Spey, Moray PH26 3HB Tel: 01479 872 684 Email: [email protected] Welcome 1 20FS Welcome © Glyn Satterley Scotland has incredible, world-class fishing set in some of the most beautiful scenery that you could ever hope to visit. With something to suit all ages and ability levels, fantastic accommodation, and a warm welcome that’s second to none, it’s the ultimate fishing holiday destination. Glencoe, Argyll © Colin G Riach © Glyn Satterley Published for and on behalf of: VisitScotland, Ocean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JH www.visitscotland.com Published by: PSP Media Group Ltd, 50 High Craighall Road, Glasgow G4 9UD Tel: 0141 353 2222 - to view our brands, experiences & events, visit: www.pspmediagroup.co.uk Trout fishing, Caithness Lake of Menteith, Stirling Guide Editor: George Holdsworth Guide Contributors: George Holdsworth and Ron Woods Photography: With thanks to: VisitScotland, Paul Tomkins, Kenny Lam, Jakub Iwanicki, Fife Council, Damian Shields, Alastair Gowans, Colin G Riach, Glyn Satterley, Tommy Lauriston, Types of fishing Articles & useful info Green Highlander Images, Paul Barr, Martin Knight, Ron Woods, Gordon Castle Estate and www.cairngormlandscapes.co.uk 9 Salmon Discover why Scotland is the 2 World-class fishing Cover Image: Lake of Menteith, near Stirling, VisitScotland/Kenny Lam salmon fishing capital of the world. 26 Fisheries to visit Cartographics: Ashworth Maps & Interpretation Ltd 2020 15 Sea trout Explore Scotland’s 46 Guides & ghillies magnificent sea trout fishing. 49 Tackle & clothing Disclaimer: PSP/VisitScotland have published this guide in good faith to reflect information 52 Tackle shops submitted by the proprietors/managers of the 18 Brown trout An introduction to some businesses listed who have paid for or approved of the best wild brown trout fishing in 58 Where to stay their entries to be included. Although PSP/ VisitScotland have taken reasonable steps the world. 69 Travel tips to confirm the information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, they cannot When it comes to 70 Fishing map guarantee that the information published is and 22 Rainbow trout remains accurate. Accordingly, PSP/VisitScotland fishing for rainbow trout, Scotland’s 73 Enjoying Scotland’s outdoors/ recommend that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business waters are second to none. Anglers Welcome Scheme prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other Disease free 31 Grayling Discover the world of 75 aspects of the business are satisfactory. PSP/ VisitScotland accept no responsibility for any Scotland’s grayling fishing. 77 Catch & release error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and exclude all liability for loss or damage Uncover the greatest 79 Law & safety caused by any reliance placed on the information 32 Coarse fishing contained in this guide. PSP/VisitScotland accept pike fishing spots and other highlights 80 On the web no responsibility for the contents of any pages referenced by an external link and exclude all of coarse fishing. liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in an 39 Sea fishing Sea fishing in Scotland is external link. PSP/VisitScotland also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or incredible from boat or from shore. liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this A few helpful hints and guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at 43 Start fishing December 2019. tips on how to start angling. 2 fishing in scotland World Famous Fishing Scotland is the home of world-class fishing, amazing scenery, wonderful accommodation and the friendliest of welcomes. Plan a fishing trip of a lifetime in 2020 and help us celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters. Once you’ve visited you’ll never want to fish anywhere else. cotland is the true spiritual home of river trout fishing. We’ve simply got through uniquely designed and of angling and it o ers genuinely so much fishing availability that fishing environmental friendly houses to your world-class fishing for the whole areas rarely get busy. In fact there are very own castle, with turrets and all. Bed S many areas in the north west of Scotland and breakfast accommodation is also spectrum of game, coarse and sea species. This fantastic fishing is spread where, if the fish are not biting or you see extremely popular as it allows you to get the length and breadth of the islands another angler, the local advice is usually a real feel for local life. If you fancy a bit and mainland and nearly all of it is easily to simply choose another loch. of pampering there is everything from accessible to the visiting angler. local inns through boutique hotels to the There’s more to a perfect fishing holiday grandeur of world famous, five star hotels. The only ‘problem’ with coming here to than just fishing though and easy travel, fish is choosing where to go as you will welcoming accommodation and tasty Whilst you’re relaxing in your quite simply be spoilt for choice. For sea food and drink are equally important. accommodation it’s the perfect time anglers we have a coastline that is over Once again, Scotland has got that to sample Scotland’s amazing range of 18,000 km long and nearly all of it is freely covered and covered in style. We have world-famous whiskies. Alternatively try accessible. Fancy a bit of loch fishing? an excellent transport network and most our incredible range of artisan gin - it’s a Well, you’re going have to choose from visitors comment on how uncongested little known fact that Scotland actually over 31,000 of them. And, no, that is not the roads are in comparison to what produces of 70% of all UK gin. Or how a typo. They range in size from small, they normally experience at home. One about trying our locally brewed cra intimate waters to massive lochs such ‘complaint’ some less appreciative drivers beers that are quickly gaining a world- as lochs Awe, Lomond and Ness. Loch have had, is needing to slow down as wide reputation. If none of that is your Ness is particularly famous as it may (or there were too many deer wandering thing you can always just snuggle up with may not) be the home to a rather large across the road! the perfect cup of tea – it’s the Scottish monster. It’s also worth noting that just water that does it. this one loch contains nearly double You’ll be able to find whatever type the volume of water of all the lakes in of accommodation you’d like and Last, but most definitely not least, we England and Wales combined. For rivers in most price ranges. Self-catering have food. Lots of it. Scots love their food we have around 380 that get runs of accommodation is particularly popular and no wonder as the country is world salmon and seemingly countless miles and can range from glamping pods, famous for the quality of its produce. © Glyn Satterley North Uist sea pool, Outer Hebrides Fishing in scotland 3 © Glyn Satterley © Glyn Satterley Loch Ba, Isle of Mull River Tweed, Scottish Borders Fishing in Scotland can be fantastic, and there are plenty of resources at hand to help you get the most out of it. Fin Wilson, writer/journalist fishing in scotland 5 © Glyn Satterley Trout fishing, Argyll Fantastic seafood, grass-reared beef to fish in the sea (including sea pools) some cases it’s the law or a condition and lamb, magnificent vegetables for salmon or sea trout you must get of the permit. Even where the killing of and simply incredible so fruit. Good a permit. It’s actually illegal to fish for fish is allowed, the sight of large bags eating places are widespread and range salmon or sea trout in any part of the of dead fish is very strongly frowned from Michelin starred, world famous sea within 1.5 km of the mean low tide upon by everyone. If allowed, you restaurants, through independently mark without a permit. can obviously take a couple home for owned local bistros to the best fish dinner but everything else should be and chips in the world. Okay, we’re Anglers with disabilities are well catered carefully released. a bit biased with that one – but you for at many of Scotland’s fisheries.