Great Scottish River Locations 
North Scotland
Aline: - The Aline is an attractive river, three miles long, with easy access for the fisherman. It flows out of Loch Arienas and, soon after, is joined by two tributaries which flow from the Black Glen and the White Glen (Gleann Dubh and Gleann Geal). When in spate, the force of the flow from the tributaries can force the flow of the main river back into the loch, thus helping to maintain the flow of the river below for an extended period.
Alness: - One of the smaller east coast rivers, the Alness, or Averon, flows for ten miles from Loch Morie to the Cromarty Firth at Alness. A dam built on Loch Morie helps to ensure a reasonable flow in the summer months and fresh fish can be drawn into the river by artificial spates resulting from a release of water from the dam, as well as maintaining the river at a good fishing height.
Beauly: - One of the great Highland rivers to be harnessed for Hydro-electric power, the River Beauly is born out of its tributaries, Affric, Cannich, Glass, and Farrar. The spring run has diminished since the building of the Hydro dams and the best fishing months are now July, August and September. The lower river can also be good for sea trout, with the main run appearing in July. With the water flow controlled by the hydro electric scheme, the Beauly is less reliant on rainfall and can often provide good fishing irrespective of weather conditions.
Borgie: - Rising on the southern slopes of Ben Loyal, the River Borgie runs through lochs Coulside, Loyal and Craggie, before continuing its attractive course to enter the sea in Torrisdale bay. The best of the salmon fishing is in July, August and September and a good year might see 300 salmon caught. The river, like most of the northern salmon rivers, is fished by fly only.
Brora: - The Brora is an excellent spring salmon river, fishing well from its opening at the beginning of February through to May. Water from the upper Brora is diverted via aqueduct to the Shin system, so the Brora is not entirely a naturally flowing river. This however does not have too great an adverse effect on the fishing.
Carron: - The River Carron is a spate river which flows eastwards joining the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar Bridge in Easter Ross. The Carron draws water from a large catchment but a valuable part of the upper river has been diverted, taking water into the Conon system. Good spring fishing on the lower river and summer sport on the upper beats.
Conon: - The River Conon, the largest of the Easter Ross-shire rivers, fed by tributaries Orrin, Blackwater, Bran and Meig, was harnessed for Hydro Electric production in the nineteen fifties, to the great detriment of the once fabulous Spring salmon fishing on the river. The best of the salmon fishing is now on the main lower river and on the Blackwater from July to September.
Croe: - The Croe is a small Kintail spate river flowing through spectacular scenery for four miles to the sea at Morvich, on Loch Duich. To the west of the Croe lies the River Shiel, a ten mile long spate stream entering the sea at Shiel Bridge, also on Loch Duich, both rivers surrounded by spectacular mountains of Kintail Forest.
Dionard: - A productive north Sutherland river set in the magnificently wild scenery of the north west highlands, the river Dionard flows from Loch Dionard northwards to enter the sea in the Kyle of Durness. While the loch itself has a good reputation for sea trout, the river produces good numbers of salmon and grilse in the summer, as well as the more numerous sea trout.
Ewe: - The River Ewe system, including Loch Maree from which the river flows on its short course to the sea, was, not so long ago, the jewel in the crown of Scottish Sea Trout fishing, renowned worldwide for the quality of the fishing, on both loch and river. Sadly, sea trout catches have declined dramatically in the past twenty years and the jewel has lost much of its lustre.
Garry: - The character of the River Garry, and its fishing, was greatly altered by the impoundment of its waters, in the nineteen fifties, for the production of hydro electricity. Prior to this, the Garry was one of Scotland’s best spring salmon fisheries, renowned for its large spring salmon, averaging about 18 pounds, which were in the river from opening day on January 15th till the end of April.
Gruinard: - The Gruinard River flows from the four mile long Loch Na Sealga to enter the sea in Gruinard Bay, Wester Ross. The Gruinard produces around a hundred salmon in a season and some sea trout, with the sea trout numbers greatly reduced in recent years. The fishing is let privately and is unlikely to be available.
Halladale: - Apart from in its upper course, in the Forsinard area, the River Halladale is, for most of its twenty mile length, a rather sluggish salmon river. Nevertheless, this northern Sutherland river can provide excellent salmon fly fishing. Very much a spate river, the Halladale relies very much on rain to give good sport, and the rule, as on most other northern rivers, is fly only.
Helmsdale: - A great salmon river, the most productive in the north of Scotland. The best of the fishing, however, is strictly preserved and inaccessible to most. The fishing is divided into twelve beats, six above the falls of Kildonan and six below, with one top beat and one bottom beat available to two rods each day, allowing a total of twelve rods to fish.
Kirkaig: - The river Kirkaig is an attractive river but the rough and rocky nature of the river makes for very challenging salmon fly fishing. To cover the pools effectively requires the agility and stamina of a mountain goat and is not for the faint of heart, particularly on the uppermost of the three beats, while the lower beat gives the easiest access.
Laxford: - The River Laxford is regarded as one of the more productive rivers in northern Scotland but it is fished privately and therefore of little interest to the visiting angler
Inver:- The River Inver flows for six miles from Loch Assynt, through a heavily wooded valley, to enter the sea at Lochinver. Catches have declined in recent years but upwards of 200 salmon might be caught in a good year. Sadly, the runs of sea trout have almost disappeared.
Lochy: - Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis, The River Lochy is an attractive salmon river, flowing the nine miles from Loch Lochy to Loch Linnhe near Fort William. Salmon and sea trout fishing, although the sea trout have declined in recent years.
Moriston: - The headwaters of the River Moriston have, like those of the Garry, been impounded for the production of electricity, by two major dams on Lochs Cluanie and Loyne and a further dam downstream to produce a head of water for the power station, which lies just 300 yards above the outflow of the Moriston into Loch Ness.
Naver: - The River Naver flows the eighteen miles from Loch Naver to enter the sea at Bettyhill. It is one of the most productive, and exclusive, of Scotland’s salmon rivers, rivalling the Helmsdale for numbers of fish. This will mean little to most of us, though, as the Naver also rivals the Helmsdale in its exclusivity. It is a very private river. The lower beat, however, is reserved for the local angling club and a limited number of daily permits are available to visitors.
Oykel: - The Oykel is the best of the Kyle of Sutherland rivers. There are no hydro schemes on the Oykel to inhibit the natural flow of the river, which relies on precipitation, in the form of rain or, very early in the season, snow, to give of its best. Excellent Spring fishing on the lower river with sport on the upper river throughout the summer months.
Shin: - The Shin is a good salmon river, although it has been affected by the Loch Shin hydro electric scheme, inhibiting the natural flow of the river, which flows for three miles from Loch Shin southwards to the Kyle of Sutherland.
Thurso: - The upper section of the river, above Loch More, provides extensive and valuable spawning grounds for the Thurso salmon. It is, however, on the main section of the river, from Loch More to it outflow at Thurso, that the fishing interest is focussed.
Torridon: - The River Torridon is an attractive Wester Ross spate river, only four miles long, flowing from Lochan an Iasgair to Loch Torridon, with easy access from the adjacent road. Salmon can be caught from July onwards, given rain, and up to thirty or so fish might be caught before the season’s end in September. To the west, the River Balgy is another short river with runs of salmon and a few sea trout.
Ullapool: - The Ullapool is the name given to the river which flows from Loch Achall to the sea in Loch Broom, the last four miles in a journey which began high in the mountains of the Inverlael Forest as the river Douchary, later to become the river Rhiddorroch which flows into the eastern end of Loch Achall.
Wick: - The Wick River, although the second largest salmon fishing river in Caithness, is quite narrow. Similar to the Halladale with long stretches of sluggish water. This slow water makes for difficult fly fishing and is often fished with worm, very much the exception on the northern rivers, a method which accounts for about half all salmon caught on the river.
Central Scotland
Add: - In the nineteenth century, catches of 1000 salmon a season were reported from the River Add. By the mid twentieth century, this had been reduced to around 200 salmon a year. Today a good year would see the catch reach double figures.
Allan: - An excellent small river, passing through Kinbuck and Dunblane, Perthshire on its way to join the Forth below Bridge of Allan. Well managed by the Allan Water Angling Improvement Association, it has good trout fly fishing and, in recent seasons, much improved salmon and sea trout fly fishing
Awe: - The character of this once great Scottish salmon river has been much altered by the building, in the nineteen sixties, of the River Awe Barrage, which impounded the waters of the River Awe where it funnels through the Pass of Brander in order to generate electricity. The fishing is not what it used to be but the Awe can still give good sport, particularly in late spring and summer.
Dee: - The River Dee in Aberdeenshire is one of the "big four" salmon rivers in Scotland, the others being the Spey, Tay and Tweed. Like the Spey, the Dee is a long river, 90 miles from its source in the Cairngorms to the North Sea at Aberdeen. The Dee has gone through a difficult time in recent years but can still provide some of the best salmon fly fishing in Scotland.
Deveron: - The Deveron is an excellent salmon and sea trout river, with annual catches in excess of 2000 salmon and around 1500 sea trout. The river also has a reputation for quality brown trout fishing. Indeed the Deveron is known for producing large fish of all three species.
Don: - The upper course of the River Don, rising in the Grampian mountains, is steep and the river flows quickly through wooded slopes, joined on the way by a number of tributaries. Some way below Alford, the gradient slows and the Don flows from this point more sedately through more gentle farmland, providing some of the best trout fishing in the country. At Inverurie, the Don is joined by the Urie, its most important tributary and one with a reputation for sea trout. Some 16 miles further on, the Don enters the North Sea at Bridge of Don just to the north of Aberdeen.
Eachaig: - The River Eachaig runs the four and a half miles from Loch Eck to the Holy Loch in the Firth of Clyde. It is principally a sea trout fishing river of some note, producing around 300 sea trout, some of them of impressive size, and anglers catch a further 50 or so salmon in a season.
Earn: - Originating in Loch Earn, the River Earn flows eastwards to join the Tay estuary south of Perth. It is swollen by several tributaries on its way, the most notable being the Water of Ruchill, which is one of the few tributaries unaffected by either Hydro-electric schemes or water extraction. An attractive medium sized river, the Earn offers trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon fishing throughout its length, some through fishing clubs like those in Crieff, Comrie, Auchterarder and Dunning.
Findhorn: - With its source high in the Monadhliath Mountains, 60 miles from the outflow at Findhorn on the Moray Firth, the River Findhorn is a most attractive salmon river, with a succession of deep pools and fast runs throughout its length. Up to 1000 salmon will be taken in a season with sea trout mainly in the lower beats
Fyne: - The river Fyne at one time, as recently as 1989, produced in the region of 250 salmon in a season, despite the severe impoundment of its waters for the production of Hydro Electric power. Sadly, recent years have seen a dramatic decline in stocks of migratory fish on the river.
Lomond: - The Loch Lomond system can produce up to 1500 salmon and a similar number of sea trout, from the loch itself, which at twenty one miles long and covering an area of 17,500 acres, is Scotland’s largest loch, along with the major tributaries Fruin and Endrick, and the River Leven which runs the short distance from Balloch to enter the Firth of Clyde at Dumbarton.
Lossie: - The River Lossie flows northwards through Morayshire to Elgin, entering the Moray Firth a few miles further on at Lossiemouth. Although overshadowed by its illustrious neighbours, the Spey and Findhorn, the River Lossie can, in suitable conditions, provide some excellent salmon and sea trout fishing, with something in the region of 100 salmon caught in a season and up to 400 sea trout.
Nairn: - The River Nairn is a productive salmon and sea trout river, although the sea trout fishing is not perhaps what it once was. Spring runs have declined but a few are still caught as early as March or April. July can see excellent catches of sea trout and can also be a good salmon month, given rain, with the summer run continuing into August and September.
Ness: - The River Ness is a big river, carrying the water from its large catchment on the five mile journey from Loch Ness to Inverness and out into the Moray Firth. One of the most productive salmon rivers in the north of Scotland, the Ness produces six to seven hundred salmon in a season and some 200 sea trout.
North Esk: - The North Esk is a fine east coast salmon river. It has its source in two streams, the Lee and the Mark, which join at Invermark to form the North Esk. Shortly after, it is joined by the Tarf, another important spawning tributary. The river runs south east for a distance of 35 miles to enter the North Sea north of Montrose. The North Esk can produce about 1000 salmon and grilse in a season.
Orchy: - The River Orchy flows out of Loch Tulla for a distance of about ten miles to Loch Awe. One of the most attractive rivers in the west highlands, the Orchy is a significant part of the Loch Awe system, not only in terms of salmon fishing, but as the main spawning stream. The annual catch on the Orchy is in the region of 300 salmon.
South Esk: - The South Esk rises high in the Grampian mountains and, like its near neighbour to the north, can give excellent sport with salmon, although it is perhaps better known for its sea trout. It is a longer river than the North Esk, offering more in the way of publicly accessible fishing. The best months for salmon, given rain, are August, September and October with June and July producing the bulk of the sea trout.
Spey: - The River Spey is probably the most famous salmon river in the World. The Spey rises in the Monadhliath mountains to the south of Loch Ness and flows 100 miles northwards to enter the Moray Firth at Spey bay. In its lower course, downstream of Grantown, it is a fast flowing river, providing miles of perfect, and highly sought after, fly fishing water.
Tay: - The largest of Scotland’s salmon rivers, the Tay drains an area of about 2500 square miles and is approximately 120 miles long. It is a big river, particularly in its middle and lower course below its confluence with the River Tummel. The Tay fishing is not what it once was but can still produce somewhere in the region of 10,000 salmon in a season.
Teith: - The River Teith is undoubtedly the best salmon river in the Forth-Teith system and one of the best in Central Scotland. Originating in Loch Venachar, it is joined by the Leny just above Callander to form the Teith proper. From Callander, all the way to its confluence with the Forth just above Stirling, it flows through lovely country via some very sought-after beats providing excellent spring and autumn salmon fly fishing.
Tummel: - The main section of the Tummel of interest to the salmon fisherman is the lower section from the outflow at Faskally Dam at Pitlochry to the junction with the Tay at Logierait. There are 22 named pools on this lower section, fished by a total of twenty rods.
South Scotland
Almond: - The Cramond Angling Club offer approximately two miles of single bank fishing on the River Almond. The beat is located about 4 miles to the North West of Edinburgh City Centre. There is a good access to the river, with car parking being right on the river bank, and local bus routes are just a few minutes away.
Main target species are brown trout and sea trout. Salmon have also been caught although in quite a small numbers. Normal methods of angling include fly fishing and spinning, bait fishing is permitted at certain times of the season. Catch and release particularly for salmon is highly recommended.
Annan: - One of the best salmon and sea trout rivers in the south of Scotland, the river Annan is a spate river flowing southwards for 35 miles past Moffat, Johnstonebridge and Lockerbie,joined on its way by several tributaries such as Moffat Water, Evan Water, Kinnel Water, Water of Ae, Water of Milk and Mien Water before entering the Solway at Annan.
Ayr: - The Ayr is the largest of the Ayrshire rivers running from its source near New Cumnock the thirty nine miles to Ayr. The Ayr is a spate river but drawing water from a larger catchment area than neighbouring rivers. Spates, therefore, tend to last a bit longer, falling off in days rather than hours. In a good season 500 salmon might be taken and a few sea trout.
Bladnoch: - The River Bladnoch flows from Mayberry Loch in South Ayrshire for seven miles to Wigtown Bay. The river has been affected by large scale afforestation and the river now falls quickly following a spate. Salmon and sea trout run the river, which also holds good brown trout and pike.
Border Esk: - The Border Esk is formed by the meeting of the Black Esk and White Esk near Bailiehill. On its way to Langholm, the Border Esk is joined by tributaries Meggat Water, Ewes and Wauchope and, just downstream of Langholm, by the Tarras Water. Just below Canonbie, the Esk is joined by its major tributary, the Liddle, a good salmon and sea trout river in its own right. At Scotsdyke, the Esk, hitherto a Scottish river, enters England and flows on past Longtown to meet the Solway Firth near Gretna. Renowned as one of the best sea trout rivers in the country, the Border Esk also has a good run of salmon through the latter part of the season.
Clyde: - The River Clyde is one of Scotland’s great rivers, renowned, in its lower course, more for shipbuilding than for fishing. The upper river has long been highly regarded as a trout and grayling stream, with some of the nicest fly water you could imagine. In addition, salmon and sea trout fishing is now improving on the lower river.
Cree: - The Cree runs from Loch Moan to the Solway Firth below Newton Stewart. Afforestation in its upper course has led to a faster run off after rain and increased acidification, both of which have an adverse effect on the fishing. Nevertheless, salmon and sea trout can still be taken in the lower section of the river, which has some good fly fishing water.
Doon: - Loch Doon at the head of the river benefits the salmon fishing on the Doon by providing a compensation flow of water in times of summer drought, a benefit not available to the other Ayrshire rivers. Bonnie Doon, immortalised in the poems of Robert Burns, is an attractive and productive salmon river flowing 23 miles from the Galloway hills to its outfall just south of the town of Ayr.
Ettrick: - The River Ettrick flows for 15 miles to join the Tweed at Selkirk. The Ettrick is joined by the main tributary, the River Yarrow, one and a half miles upstream of Selkirk. Both rivers flows through magnificent wild moorland. The Tweed Foundation has done a good deal of work on habitat improvement on the Ettrick and Yarrow in recent years and the runs of salmon are improving, with around 100 salmon caught in a season, most of them in October.
Girvan: - The River Girvan flows the twenty five miles from Loch Bradan, past Straiton and Kirkmichael to the sea at Girvan. The river has a moorland character as far as Straiton, where it widens to form good holding pools and streamy runs. After a short sluggish stretch, the river then gathers pace again, flowing through the fine fishing water of Blairquhan.
Irvine: - The River Irvine shares a common estuary with the River Garnock at Irvine. The River Irvine flows from its source in Lanarkshire for 25 miles to the sea at Irvine, on its way flowing through a variety of scenery – agricultural, industrial and residential. In the past the river was heavily polluted but water quality is now improving and the river and its fish stocks are steadily improving, largely due to the work of the River Irvine Improvement Association.
Luce: - The Water of Luce forms by the joining of the Cross Water of Luce and the Main Water of Luce. The Main Water is now dammed to form Penwhirn Reservoir and the river is now subject to compensation flow. The fishing has suffered as a result. Nevertheless, the river still produces a fair number of salmon, although sea trout runs are not what they once were.
Nith: - The Nith is the largest of the Solway rivers. It is arguably the most productive and varied of the rivers and offers excellent salmon and sea trout sport for anglers of all abilities and experience. Much of the fishing is available to visiting anglers on a day or weekly basis on association water and hotel and estate beats.
Stinchar: - One of the most attractive rivers in Ayrshire, the Stinchar flows through the Carrick Forest before turning south west at Aldinna. It continues through pleasant countryside bordered by natural woodland. The river has suffered from the effects of afforestation and water abstraction but is still one of the most productive salmon rivers in the south west of Scotland.
Teviot: - The River Teviot flows through rich farmland bordered by deciduous woodland, to join the River Tweed at Kelso. The salmon fishing is at its best from June onwards and around 700 salmon can be taken in a season, with an average weight of around ten pounds.
Tweed: - The great River Tweed is born at Wells of Tweed, 1500 feet up in the hills north of Moffat and flows eastwards for 100 miles to enter the North Sea at Berwick, picking up on its way the major tributaries, Yarrow and Ettrick, Gala Water, Leader Water, Teviot, Till and Whiteadder. Best known as an autumn salmon river, the Tweed has regularly produced over 10,000 salmon in recent seasons, plus substantial numbers of sea trout, some of the sea trout big fish caught by salmon fishers in the back end months.
Tyne: - The East Lothian Tyne is a small spate river, passing through Haddington and entering the Firth of Forth just north of Dunbar. The river is principally a brown trout river but with improving runs of migratory fish, in particular sea trout.
Urr: - The Urr flows for thirty miles from Loch Urr to its outflow into the Solway Firth near Dalbeattie. The Urr has a moorland character in its upper course but becomes rather sluggish, flowing through relatively rich agricultural land in its lower course.
Whiteadder: - The River Whiteadder is a major tributary of the Tweed, flowing out of Whiteadder reservoir before being joined by tributaries Faseney Water, Bothwell Water, Monynut Water and Dye Water. Later the Whiteadder is joined by its major tributary, Blackadder Water. A further five miles sees the Whiteadder joining the tidal reaches of the Lower Tweed, two and a half miles upstream of Berwick.
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