Fishing in the North Highlands offers a chance to get away from it all. The ultimate relaxation, away from the stresses of the city, followed by a warm welcome at a local bar or restaurant. There are so many lochs in the area, including a few listed below, that an angler can easily spend two weeks in the area – sometimes fishing somewhere so remote the trout haven’t seen a fisherman’s fly in years.
Trout
Loch Watten in Caithness is known as one of the foremost lochs for freshwater fly-fishing, described by angler and author Bruce Sandison as one of the best Scottish wild trout fisheries. It is 4km in length and 1km wide. In itself it is a haven for birds including geese and swans and offers trophy-winning brown trout as well as golden trout. Fishing permits available from Hugo Ross, Wick.
Some of the best fishing in the north can be experienced at the river Thurso which runs from its source at Loch More to the sea at Thurso east. The 26 miles are split into 13 beats, 12 of which are available to let. Up to date information is available from the Thurso Angling Assocation or try Harpers in Thurso’s High Street.
Also in Caithness, Loch Calder lies 8 km southwest of Thurso and is slightly larger and much deeper than Loch Watten. The loch supports a popular fishery for trout and Arctic Char. There is also more information about the Caithness lochs on Troutquest.
Loch Loyal, near Tongue, is a 4 mile long loch with plenty of trout 8-10 oz, with good numbers of heavier fish 1-3 lbs, also ferox. Boats are available.
Loch Glencoul is a spectacular glacier-carved fjord with steep valley sides that leads into the remote country east of the Ben More Assynt range.
Loch Craggie is situated 2 miles east of Lairg and offers brown trout fishing.
Loch Shin is near the town of Lairg. The loch is the largest in Sutherland, runs from the north-west to the south-east and is 27.2 kilometres long. Many believe that the British record will be broken by a trout from Loch Shin, with many catching fish between 2 and 4lbs. Boats are available for hire.
The Assynt area offers some of the most spectacular scenery and a myriad of lochs holding wild brown trout. There are also two spate rivers, the Inver and Kirkaig, running west to the sea that allow the passage of salmon and sea-trout into some of these lochs. Further information on the fishings, pricing and permit outlets can be found from Assynt Anglers’ Trust and Assynt Angling Group
There is a comprehensive guide to trout fishing on the Trout and Salmon Fishing in Scotland web site.
Salmon
There is no better place to fish for wild salmon than on dozens of rivers in the North Highlands.
The River Inver flows for six miles from Loch Assynt where upwards of 200 salmon have been caught in a year. The River Conon sees over 1200 salmon and grilse caught each year. The Brora has a reputation as a wonderful spring salmon river. The exclusive, 18 mile long River Naver is one of the most productive of Scotland’s salmon rivers, although only a few passes are available.
You can read more on the Trout and Salmon Fishing in Scotland web site.
Accommodation for Anglers
1. Dornoch Castle Hotel
Dornoch Castle offers a mixture of activities for golf enthusiasts with the famous Royal Dornoch Cha...
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Castle Hotel
Castle Street
Dornoch
t: 01862 810216
2. Glengolly B and B
Glengolly Bed and Breakfast is sited in Durness the most north westerly village on the British Mainl... more >
Glengolly
Durine
Durness
t: 01971 511255
3. Inverbrora Farmhouse B and B
Ideally located on the A9, just south of Brora this Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast is based only one ho... more >
Inverbrora Farm
Brora
t: 01408 621208
4. Lochinver Holidays
Excellent self-catering accommodation at the beautiful white and safe sandy beach of Achmelvich in N... more >
Hillhead
Lochinver
t: 01571 844454
5. Wester Ross Retreats
The best selection of self-catering cottages in the Wester Ross area. All our cottages are based aro... more >
5 Braeside
Gairloch
t: 01445 712179
6. Smoo Cave Hotel
Welcome to the web site of the Smoo Cave Hotel. Our small family run friendly hotel is situated in t... more >
Lerin
Durness
t: 01971 511227
7. Bilbster Mains
North Bilbster Cottage and the Gardener's Cottage are traditionally built stone cottages (100yrs +) ...
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Bilbster Mains
Bilbster
Wick
t: 01955 621226
8. Ackergill Tower
Welcome to Ackergill Tower, one of the most sought after retreats in the world. A world famous 15th ... more >
Ackergill
Wick
t: 01955 603556
9. Culgower House
Originally built in 1850 as a farmhouse for Sutherland Estates, Culgower House lies between Brora an...
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Culgower House
Loth
Helmsdale
t: 01431 821 268
10. Eddrachilles Hotel
Welcome to The Eddrachilles Hotel - a small, owner-managed hotel offering comfortable accommodation ...
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Eddrachilles Hotel
Badcall
Scourie
t: 01971 502080
11. Gull Cottage
Situated in the wild and unspoilt North West Coast of Scotland overlooking Loch Inchard. This recent... more >
Gull Cottage
Achriesgill
Rhiconich
t: 01971 521717
12. Somewhere Special Ltd
A modern, well equipped house, sleeping up to 6 people, built in the style of a traditional Highland...
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Taigh na Fraoch
Clashnessie
Lochinver
t: 01360 850130
13. An Grianan
This desirable family house commands a lovely Sleeps Eight in Four Bedrooms. Suitable for two famil... more >
288 Sheigra
Kinlochbervie
t: 01651 851219
14. Inver Lodge Hotel
Welcome to Inver Lodge Hotel and Chez Roux Restaurant, Loch Inver, Scotland.
Set amid one of the ...
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Inver Lodge Hotel
Iolaire Road
Lochinver
t: 01571 844496
15. Ruddyglow Park
Luxurious 5 star, country house bed and breakfast, nestled between the foothills of Quinag and the e...
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Ruddyglow Park
Loch Assynt, Near Lochinver
by Lairg
t: 01571 822216
16. Cathair Dhubh Estate
The luxury cottages on Cathair Dhubh Estate...
... offer you the rare opportunity to experience the...
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Cathair Dhubh
Clachtoll
by Lochinver
t: 01571 855277
17. Overscaig House Hotel by Lairg
The Overscaig is a small family run hotel, remotely located in Sutherland on the banks of Loch Shin,...
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Overscaig House Hotel
Loch Shin
Lairg
t: 01549 431203
18. The Links Apartments
The Links Apartments and Links View Apartments at Brora, on the beautiful scenic east coast of the N...
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Golf Road
Brora
Brora
t: 01408 621252
19. The Shepherd's Cottage at Ruddyglow Park
Our lovely traditional, stone built, cottage, which dates back to the early 1800's is the perfect pl... more >
Loch Assynt
Lochinver
t: 01571 822216
20. Glendarroch House
Glendarroch House is a traditional Highland home built 170 years ago and in the ownership of the sam...
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Glendarroch House
Lochinver
t: 01431 821207
21. Kylesku Hotel
small independent hotel with 8 bedrooms, most of which have fantastic views over the loch. The bar a... more >
Kylesku Hotel
Kylesku
Lairg
t: 01971 502231
22. Ulbster Arms Hotel
Welcome to the Ulbster Arms Hotel, situated in the village of Halkirk, on the banks of the River Thu... more >
Bridge Street
Halkirk
t: 01847 831641
23. Forss House Hotel
Forss House is a delightful 1810 country home nestling in 20 acres of woodland, below a waterfall, o...
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Forss House Hotel
Forss
Thurso
t: 01847 861201
24. Seaview Hotel
Small family run overlooking Pentland Firth and Orkney Isles. We serve the very best of local produ...
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Seaview Hotel
John O'Groats
t: 01955 611220
25. Bruach Ard
Bruach Ard overlooks beautiful Loch Ewe at Inverasdale near Poolewe in Wester Ross, looking across t...
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Bruach Ard
7, Braes
Poolewe
t: 01445 781765
Activities for Anglers
1. Waterlines Visitor Centre
Waterlines is a visitor centre and museum which stands in restored buildings close to the attractive... more >
Lybster Harbour
Lybster
t: 01593 721 325 /520
