Salmon & trout

The River Tay and its tributaries, the Isla and the Ericht, are recognised worldwide as among the best salmon and trout rivers in Europe, the Tay holding the UK record for a salmon catch - a magnificent fish of 64lb caught by a Miss Ballantyne in 1922!

The Ericht, which flows through Blairgowrie, boasts a run of several thousand salmon each year with over 300 usually taken, making it one of the most prolific tributaries of the Tay. Only 10 miles in length, this relatively small river offers excellent opportunities to catch salmon at any time of the year.

The Isla, just a couple of miles away, has wide sweeping bends and sluggish, lazy pools, offering excellent salmon fishing, including some of the best Spring catches on the Tay system.

Local lochs, like Clunie and Butterstone, are well-stocked with rainbow and brown trout and pike.

Permits & tackle

The Blairgowrie & Rattray District Angling Association provides a wealth of information about local fishing and administers several beats along the Ericht.

Permits, tackle, bait and ghillie services are all available from Kate Fleming  or James Crockart & Sons , both of which are located on Allan Street about a mile from Invermay.

Ghillie services are also available from Duncan Pepper who is pictured above.

Invermay itself is well-equipped for the fisherman. There are two outside Belfast sinks for gutting and preparing the catch, and there are drying facilities, safe storage and a chest freezer.

Now what? Walking? Cycling? Golf? Skiing? Touring?