The Mackay Country Project

 

The first mention of Scourie as an "Anglers Retreat" was in the mid 19th century, when the Duke of Sutherland gave John Bright of the Corn Laws fame, fishing on the River Laxford and he stayed at the Scourie Hotel, or as it was known of in those days, the Stafford Arms.  By the early 20th century Scourie was becoming known to the angling community as a good place to fish and particularly so, after a visit by Sir J.M. Barrie, of "Peter Pan" fame, and his boys in 1911 - joined by Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland, and ghillied by John Mackay, who lived in the village.  It is interesting to note that the oldest fishing book in Scourie Hotel starts in 1912.

 

In those days, getting to Scourie and to the fishing lochs, required a great deal of effort, first by steamer to Badcall from Glasgow and thence to the Hotel and to the fishing lochs either on foot or by pony and trap.  A ghillie was essential and the hotel employed seven or eight of them and this continued up until the 1960's.  During the First World War little happened but the period between the wars saw a resurgence in sporting activity.  However, in comparison with today's variety of fishing beats the amount on offer was somewhat restricted.  There was no chance to fish the River Laxford or Loch Stack, these fishings being reserved for the Duke of Westminster and his guests but the hill loch fishing generally available was excellent - your ghillie would know where to go to get the best result.  Brown trout up to 10lbs were being caught.

 

 

During the Second World War fishing again was in abeyance, it being very difficult to get to Scourie since the North of Scotland was a restricted area and a permit to travel here was necessary.  However, come 1945 angling was resumed for the general public and the Scourie area entered a period of excellent catches, particularly in respect of salmon and sea trout.  Lochs Stack and More were without doubt amongst the finest fisheries of their kind in Scotland, on a par, for example with Loch Maree in Wester Ross.  Sea Trout of up to 18lbs being caught and baskets of sea trout from 20lbs to 40lbs not infrequent. 

 

By the 1980's the scope and variety of fishings available to the public was extensive, not only the bulk of the Scourie Estate fishings but great areas on the vast Westminster Estate.  An angler staying in Scourie could fish from Kylestrome in the south to the area bounded by Ben Arkle and Foinaven to the north, as well as the opportunity to fish the top part of the River Dionard from the Gualin Estate. Loch Dionard, for the adventurous, was the "Jewel in the Crown", a day and a night there was fishing to be remembered.

 

Unfortunately, about this time saw the decline in the salmon and sea trout runs which was in line with the general decline in these fisheries all down the west coast of Scotland, due in part to the advent of extensive fish farming operations which appeared to attract large populations of sea lice. By now, 2004, the situation has stabilised, a Fishery Trust has been established and while fishing for migratory fish is a mere shadow of the immediate post-war period, signs of a gradual improvement are thankfully noted.

 

How are the fisheries in the Scourie Area administered?  Scourie Hotel is leasee of the majority of fishing available to the public and caters for residents, with any vacant beats on the day available to the non-resident angler. Scourie also has a very good Angling Club with access to over 40 lochs, some with boats, day tickets being available in the village.  The Club fishery is purely for brown trout.  As a matter of interest the allocation of fishing at Scourie Hotel is done in an unique way.  It is in control of the fishing guests at the hotel, one of whom with knowledge of the fishings, is designated by the Hotel Proprietor as Board Master for that week.  As a fishing guest arrives, his or her name is listed on a blackboard in the lounge on arrival, and in the evening after dinner the Board Master goes round the guests to make up the fishing list for the next day.  An angler has the choice of all the fishing available bearing in mind the beats which have already been taken by names above him or her on the blackboard.  When the list is completed the names are moved up a place for the next evening's allocation.  This system, as far as we can tell has been in place since 1904.  It has the great advantage that the fishing guest knows that it is entirely fair and that there are no "hidden agendas".

 

In conclusion, the Scourie Area for the angler, is hard to beat for variety and scope with fishing for the beginner, the more experienced and the trophy hunter, all set in an area of stunning beauty.