Fishing staycation in Scotland

If, like tens of thousands of people in the UK, your summer holiday plans have been scuppered by Coronavirus, why not consider a fishing staycation in Scotland?

Scotland has some of the world’s best fishing on offer and, as it’s only a few hours drive from most parts of the UK, it really is the best option for a fishing staycation.

Scotland is a very popular holiday venue for anglers from across the globe and availability is at a premium, so it would be a mistake to think that you can just go up last minute and grab yourself some fishing without a little bit of help from an expert, we suggest contacting River & Green (obviously!).

Below I’ll give a brief outline of what is available and where, but be sure to get in touch ASAP and we’ll design you a fishing staycation that will surpass your highest expectations.

Fishing staycation locations & fishing options:

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fishing staycation map
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The Scottish Borders

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Tweed

Fly-fishing for rainbow trout – Various locations

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Perthshire

Fly-fishing & spinning for salmon & trout – River Tay

Spinning & bait fishing for pike – Loch Tay and many other smaller lochs

Fly-fishing for rainbow trout – Various locations

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West Coast / Argyll & Bute

Spinning & bait fishing for pike – Loch Awe and some other smaller lochs

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Orchy (experience anglers only)

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Deeside

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Dee

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Speyside

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Spey

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North Coast

Fly-fishing for brown trout – Durness limestone lochs

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Isle of Skye

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Snizort

1 – The Scottish Borders

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Tweed

Fly-fishing for rainbow trout – Various locations

The Scottish Borders is a fabulous location for a fishing staycation. The River Tweed is rightfully world famous for it’s salmon fishing and every self-respecting angler should fish the Tweed at least once in their lives.  For the non-anglers there is lots to see and do in the Scottish Borders including world class shooting opportunities (more details here) .

fishing staycation river tweed

2 – Highland Perthshire

Fly-fishing & spinning for salmon & trout – River Tay

Spinning & bait fishing for pike – Loch Tay and many other smaller lochs

Fly-fishing for rainbow trout – Various locations

The River Tay is one of our go-to options for a fishing staycation, especially for those anglers who prefer spinning to fly-fishing. The River Tay allows spinning on many of it’s beats unlike some other rivers where spinning is either prohibited or reserved for certain water conditions only. Highland Perthshire is also the perfect location for those who like to mix their salmon fishing with some pike fishing. Loch Tay is a fabulous location for pike fishing, there are also numerous smaller lochs for those who prefer smaller bodies of water.

For non-fisherman, Perthshire is the best location in Scotland for getting a taste of the whole country in one, from stag stalking, to pheasant shooting, to whisky tasting and castle visiting, Perthshire has everything. More details here

pike tour of Scotland

3 – West Coast / Argyll & Bute

Spinning & bait fishing for pike – Loch Awe and some other smaller lochs

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Orchy (experience anglers only)

The west coast is one of my favourite locations in Scotland, it is truly stunning. The picture post card image of Scotland that most people envisage can be found on the west coast. If you choose the west coast for your fishing staycation then you can be sure that, while fishing for hard-fishing pike on Loch Awe, you will be surrounded by Highland Scotland exactly as you imagined it.

For the intrepid angler, why not try some wild and testing salmon fishing on the River Orchy? The fishing is very challenging and can be dangerous and just getting to the fishing beats can be difficult but it is well worth the effort if you are fit enough and are a very experienced fisherman. Top quality fishing in secluded Highland surroundings. A fishing guide is absolutely essential.

In addition to excellent fishing, the west coast is a haven for walkers and Munro baggers as well as being the gateway to the  Isles. Be sure to visit Glen Coe for your James Bond Skyfall moment.

west coast of Scotland fishing staycation

4 – Deeside

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Dee

Deeside is a great location for those who like to mix wonderful river-side hotels with excellent salmon fishing. One of our favourite hotels is located on the banks of the river Dee and you can be out of the hotel and on the river fishing within about 10 minutes. At the end of the day you can sit on the hotel terrace and have a whisky as the sun goes down looking over the the River Dee itself, wonderfully relaxing!

salmon fishing on the dee

5 – Speyside

Fly-fishing for salmon, sea trout & trout – River Spey

The River Spey is probably almost as famous as the River Tweed and as such should feature on every fisherman’s bucket list. Speyside is a beautiful place and the quality of the fishing matches the beauty of the area.

As if any extra incentive was needed, Speyside is also one of the main whisky producing regions of Scotland. Famous names like Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Balvenie, The Macallan and many more all come from this area. Why not combine a salmon fishing staycation with a whisky tasting odyssey!?

salmon fishing speyside

6- North Coast

Fly-fishing for brown trout – Durness limestone lochs

Far away in the very north of Scotland lie the 4 Durness limestone Lochs. These lochs are a point of pilgrimage for serious trout fishermen. Each loch varies in its size and in the size and character of it’s resident trout. The fishing is unique in Scotland and the water is amazingly crystal clear. The fishing can be challenging for even the most experienced fishers. This is trout fishing for connoisseurs only.  Why not make this  a stop on your way round our special North Coast 500 fishing staycation. More details here 

7 – The Isle of Skye

Fly-fishing for salmon & trout – River Snizort

The Isle of Skye is well known as a tourist destination, and with good reason, it is stunning. Less well known is the River Snizort, one of the main fishing opportunities on Skye. Over the years we have sent an average of 1 lucky group per year to fish the Snizort and, without exception, they have all had a fabulous time under the supervision of our expert local fishing guide.

Be sure to get the timing right for your fishing staycation on Skye. If you go at the wrong time of year the island is completely over crowed and the fishing very patchy. At the right time of year the Isle of Skye has a unique wonderfully vivacious feel to it and the fishing is excellent. Get in touch and we will make sure you get to enjoy Skye and its fishing at their best.

fishing isle of skye

Design your Fishing Staycation