Thought about going into general category but my needs are specific. Need a Lodge in Scottish Highlands for a gentleman and his 13 year old son. 8-9 days in July, not self catering. They want fly fishing. Can any one help with recommendations? <BR>Thanks, Jane

Jane <BR> <BR>I can certainly help, but it would help if you could try to narrow down the area, and tell me what they want to fish for?

Sheila, <BR>Thanks for your reply. This would be freshwater fishing and we are open to the best places in the Highlands. Have a friend from Scotland that we we quiz about areas and get back to you. <BR>Jane

You know that old line about two nations divided by a single language..? <BR> <BR>I meant to ask what they wanted for fish for, not the method. I ain't no fisherman but my brother is. Meantime I raided a friendly web site and came up with the following:- <BR> <BR>All fishing in Scotland belongs to someone. This is not a problem as fishing is a big income earner in the Highlands and access to good fishing is not difficult and need not be expensive. Get a permit/permission before you start fishing. <BR> <BR>More good news is that no rod licence is needed in Scotland <BR> <BR>The statutory open season for brown trout is March 15th - October 6th. There is no official close season for the introduced rainbow trout. The salmon season varies from river to river. <BR> <BR>The best time for our wild brown trout (and some salmon fishing) is usually May through to July. August is often difficult and then sport picks up again in September. <BR> <BR>The best wild brown trout fishing is arguably in the hill lochs of the far north and northwest of Scotland. River fishing tends to be more expensive since many of the best rivers have runs of seatrout and Atlantic salmon. Three of the better rivers for brown trout are the Don, Tay and the Tweed, all of which have salmon runs. <BR> <BR>If you can buy a recent copy of the UK magazine "Trout and Salmon", the classified ads at the back are a good source of fishing/accommodation and the mag has an extensive section devoted to reports of the latest river and loch conditions and catches. <BR> <BR>A lot of rivers and loch fishing are strictly fly only. <BR> <BR>Most of the high quality big river salmon fishing is on rivers that flow east into the North Sea. The west coast rivers are mostly fairly small and short and are highly dependant on regular spates to keep fresh seatrout and salmon coming up from the sea. The Outer Hebrides have good quality fishing on both river and loch. Orkney and Shetland both have good to excellent flyfishing in lochs and saltwater flyfishing for seatrout. <BR> <BR>Some highland hotels will have some fishing for guests if your pockets are suitably deep! An alternative is to book a cottage (self-catering) in the far NW of Scotland in an area that you know to be good flyfishing country. Whatever you decide to do - don't leave it too late to book accommodation and fishing. The best fishing at the best times is often taken by the same people year after year. <BR> <BR>Permits for fishing are usually easy and cheap to obtain. If you haven't rented a 40,000 acre highland estate with all the shooting and fishing rights don't worry. In the highlands an enquiry at the local village Post Office or General Store (often one and the same place) should get you started. A weeks permit for access to bank fishing on numerous hill lochs owned by a local association might cost say 5 to 20 pounds sterling. As vast tracts of the highlands are mountainous wilderness areas and deer forests (usually no trees!) an enquiry to the estate factor or gamekeepers would be appropriate. Often all this can be sorted out in advance if you are using an agent to book your accommodation. <BR> <BR>You might like to have a look at these sites. The latter one has dozens of links. <BR> <BR> <BR>http://www.where-to-fish.com/ <BR> <BR>http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm <BR> <BR>

Woops! And this one.. <BR> <BR>http://www.visitscotland.com/outdoor/index.htm

We stayed in a B&B in Craigellachie and ate at a very nice hotel, Craigellachie, right on the River Spey. It is well known as a fishing hotel with wonderful views of River Spey...the town is located on A95 and A941, north of Dufftown.

You are wonderful. Thank you for all this great information. I may get back for more specifics. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Jane

Karen...Thank you so much. Where is your place located? <BR>Jane

Other than what I mentioned, I don't know exact location of the hotel...it is a very small village and I think the hotel is the biggest thing there, so you couldn't miss it with the location facing right on the River Spey...we have been there twice and it was a really nice looking old hotel. Do you need help locating the town itself on the map?

Crigellachie Hotel 01340 881204. <BR> <BR>Terrific place; and if you're in the salmon season the fishing WILL be expensive. <BR> <BR>Why not have a look at the Hebrides site www.hebrides.com <BR> <BR>and think about North Uist?

Best trout fishing is held by many to be in the Uists, especially South Uist. <BR>Not easy to get there : fly Glasgow-Benbecula or ferry from Oban to S.Uist or Skye (Uig) to N.Uist. <BR>North & South Uist are linked to Benbecula by a causeway. <BR>Might be better on the mainland.There are a zillion websites offering good info.