It’s so easy to fall in love - hook, line and sinker - with Scotland’s kaleidoscope of landscapes and rich rivers
Written by Linda Jackson
When fishing around for holiday ideas in Scotland, what more could anyone want in a destination than spectacular mountain scenery, a plethora of wildlife, crystal clear brooks, heather cloaked hills, tranquil lochs and secluded Highland glens?
 To make your holiday go with a big splash may we suggest taking fishing tackle, a first class gillie, and a wee dram or two of fine single malt Scotch whisky? You won’t regret it.
With an abundance of salmon, trout, grayling, Arctic char and coarse fish, as well as commercially stocked waters, there is no doubt that Scotland offers some of the greatest freshwater and sea angling on offer anywhere, the large variety of species denoting that fishing can be enjoyed here year-round. Enjoyed all the more when accompanied by a gillie (a vital ingredient), most likely gifted with a wry sense of humour and stocked to the hilt with an endless supply of amusing tales, and who indubitably knows intimately the best and most prolific beats in Scotland.
 
The fishing season in Scotland is lengthy: salmon can generally be fished from January to October/November, depending on the river; wild brown trout from March to the beginning of October, and rainbow trout and grayling can be fished year-round.
 The ‘Big Four’ – Tweed, Tay, Dee and Spey – are the main rivers in Scotland and are well worth getting in a spin about. The Tweed is a great Atlantic ‘autumn’ salmon river, but also good for brown and sea trout fishing.
The Tay is the largest of Scotland’s salmon rivers at 120 miles long; the Dee is known for its superb sea trout fishing particularly during June and July, whilst the Spey is possibly the most famous salmon river in the world; excellent for brown trout too.
In addition to these exciting rivers there are some exclusive and little-fished hidden ‘gems’ that are seriously special; lochs that are predictable and fruitful, but not easy to find without assistance. Help is close at hand from some of Scotland’s finest hotels, ideally located, where a day’s fishing can be tailor-made to suit anybody from the most ardent angler to the worse novice, and where non-fishing partners can bury themselves in absolute luxury while their other half seeks peace and solitude.
 It tends to be the three world-renowned golf courses at The Gleneagles Hotel that hog the limelight at this unique resort set within 850 acres of Perthshire countryside, just an hour’s drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. But this exclusive hotel is justifiably as proud of its fishing school and myriad other sporting activities as its golf facilities. Founded around 11 years ago the fishing school at Gleneagles teaches fly fishing to budding anglers from eight years old to ‘no barrier at the top end’, male and female, who can enrol for lessons year-round (all rods and gear provided).
On the corporate side, the fishing school is able to give instruction to as many as 40 or 50 people at the same time if necessary, with no more than four people per gillie. Somebody without knowledge or experience can master the basics of fly fishing in a couple of hours, and with the lochs being heavily stocked with rainbow and brown trout it’s very rare to find that only the fish have been hooked by the end of the day.
 Knockinaam Lodge is a different kettle of fish. Nestling in its own sheltered cove on the coast of historical Dumfries and Galloway in the extreme southwest of Scotland, this elegant small nine-room hotel offers breathtaking seascapes and superb fishing.
You’ll discover brown trout in the burns, good sized tope in the sea, superb coarse fish and trout in the lochs plus great salmon fishing on the Cree and Bladnoch (two famed salmon rivers). The hotel can arrange day tickets for the three main salmon rivers in the area or lessons for beginners at two local lochs.
This is a fantastic sea fishing area of Scotland, it’s very quiet so fish are plentiful and with its deep water and low flat rocks jutting into the sea it’s easy to fish straight off the beach or rocks. The hotel keeps three or four spinning rods and gear for guests, and because it’s so quiet it is an ideal location for those shy beginners. Serious anglers can take to the local fishing boats, and small sharks and tuna can be caught off the coast of Ireland just 20 miles away. Knockinaam Lodge is a great ‘get-away-from-it-all’ little gem where the silence can just about be heard.
 Enjoying a rural setting near Peebles and the River Tweed, sits Stobo Castle - a Scottish Borders luxury retreat where wellbeing, spa treatments, and outdoor pursuits are very much part of the Stobo experience... perfect for a ‘His and Her’ weekend (fishing/pampering).
You’ll find magnificent scenery and salmon fishing on the famous River Tweed of course, plus excellent sea trout fishing on its tributaries; coarse fishing on the lower Tweed; rainbow trout in the lochs and wild brown trout in rivers. Stobo Castle can advise guests on fly fishing locally, and Alba Game fishing (see below) can organise a comprehensive fishing package to suit any requirements.
 The heart of Scotland’s castle and whisky country is where the Marcliffe Hotel & Spa can be found sitting in mature wooded grounds, yet only ten minutes from the centre of Aberdeen: the gateway to Royal Deeside and Balmoral Castle.
The region not only boasts royalty, nearly 300 castles, plus five or six rivers ideal for visitors who like to fish because of their easy access from Aberdeen, but also a whisky trail that takes in eight malt whisky distilleries and one co-operative. Fishing here could be an intoxicating experience.
Although not having their own beat, the Marcliffe Hotel is ideally located for guests that like to fish and, through agents, can arrange fishing on the River Don, the Spey, and the Dee – most beats are within ten to fifteen miles, one only four miles away. The luxury end of fishing can be organised by the hotel: perfect for clients who like everything done for them. (see the latest fishing offer from the Marcliffe Hotel) And for any fishing widows... there are spa treatments, visits to galleries, sightseeing, and shopping for cashmere as soon as the men are dropped off.
Quality of fish comparable to those in New Zealand and trout fishing to match anywhere in the world is good enough reason for anglers to choose the West Highlands of Scotland, not to mention the stunning scenery, magnificent wildlife (rare white-tailed sea eagles are nesting here), mountains, waterfalls and lochs, and one of Scotland’s finest hotels - Inverlochy Castle, which makes a great base for a fishing foray. Boats are available for hire (as are gillies) on the hotel’s loch (perfect for beginners) and on other lochs further afield; fly casting and fishing tuition is available; trout and salmon fishing on the upper River Garry is an option, as is outstanding sea fishing, plus deep water trolling, spinning and bait fishing accompanied by a gillie.
Want to make an extra big splash to impress corporate clients or a group of friends? Then read on... we have a mouth-watering recipe for a real gourmet fishing day.
  A large dining table cloaked in crisp white linen, dressed with gold-plated cutlery, and decorated with pine cones and heather to give a true flavour of Scotland.
This setting is not in a top restaurant, this is ‘on location’ at a fishing day organised by Alba Game Fishing: a luxury Orvis Endorsed guide service that will deliver whatever type of fishing experience their clients seek in Scotland. Passionate about fishing, cooking, natural history and photography, the team puts together an amazing day (recorded onto DVD-ROMs with photographs as keepsakes).
Imagine the taste of hot sizzling bacon rolls and coffee served on arrival, and for your gourmet lunch... a mouth-watering pheasant casserole cooked in a redcurrant and port reduction, with minted peas and sautéed organic potatoes. Wee drams of Scotch malt whisky are downed, and corks pop from bottles of fine wine.
Elegant hotels and exclusive fishing venues off the beaten track are what Alba Game Fishing offers clients, who get the whole place to themselves for the day... not disturbed, not fished by the public, completely private. Because of that, fishing is dynamic. Most of their clients tend to be beginners and on corporate days 75% have never fished before. The number of budding female anglers is rising year upon year; they are proving good listeners, have fine hand co-ordination, are more tactical... and, wait for it, often catch more fish than the guys!
  
With its striking scenery and richness of rivers, Scotland boasts some of the best and most exciting fishing in Europe; and its fishing heritage has produced a class breed of gillies like no others; their skill and knowledge having been passed down from generation to generation.
Scotland is blessed with an incredible number of lochs and ‘lochans’ - no less than 30,000 of them - plus around 21,700 miles of rivers. They are amongst some of the most beautiful and unspoiled features in the United Kingdom today which you won’t forget in a hurry. However, to ensure you don’t, call in to the House of Bruar in rural Perthshire - it’s enjoyably fishy.
Eat in the Rod and Reel Restaurant with its distinctive fishing wall motifs, antique fishing reels and renowned Rodger McPhail paintings; check out the specialist outdoor clothing, and spend time browsing in the art gallery where, amongst fine examples of contemporary rural art, you’ll find a wonderful selection of limited edition prints of fish - a perfect memento of your luxury fishing break in Scotland. |
