Rights and Responsibilities Access Code

Welcome to the Great Scottish Outdoors
To get the most from your fishing please observe a few guidelines when accessing the lochs and rivers of the area.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for your own actions. If you are going away from a road take a map and compass and know now to use them. Let someone know where you'll be.

THE RIGHT to fish a water is separate from the right of access to it. In Scotland you don’t need a rod license but please always obtain a permit to fish, where this is required - this web site is here to help.

HELP landowners and crofters by:

Parking with care and without obstruction

Looking for routes avoiding grazing animals

Leaving gates as you find them. If necessary, climb at the hinged side.

Not damaging walls or fences.

TAKE ALL LITTER HOME. Particular care should be taken to leave no waste fishing line, hooks, swivels and beads.

AVOID damage to banks and disturbance of wildlife particularly of otters which breed extensively in the area.

An Anglers best practice
FOLLOW the guidance on the permit.

ASSUME the method allowed is FLY only unless specifically stated otherwise.

CHECK CATCH and RELEASE POLICY For the water.

OBSERVE any restrictions on catch totals / size of fish.

MAKE A RETURN - most permits come with a catch return card. Please take time to complete this and send it to the owner. THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT IN HELPING TO IMPROVE THE FISHING.

TAKE CARE - when wading. Many of the lochs are in peaty depressions with soft edges.

WET your hands before handling- fish to avoid causing skin lesions