Venture North: Tourist Information for Caithness & Sutherland
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  • Fishing & Fieldsports

Fishing & Fieldsports

Caithness and Sutherland offer some of the best Stalking & Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing in Scotland.

Fishing

The famous ‘limestone’ lochs of both counties contain wild brown trout which grow quickly due to the abundant fly life. In Sutherland the lochs of Durness, Lochs Lanlish, Croispol, Borralaidh and Caladail hold hard fighting, wild brown trout averaging 1 ½ lb but can be caught up to 5lb. Caithness probably has a greater number of ‘limestone’ lochs including the famous Loch Watten, wild brown’s to around the one pound size but with plenty up to 3lb. Slightly less well known are St John’s Loch and Loch Calder with fish averaging around the ¾ lb mark. Other areas worth considering are the lochs around Thrumster. Outwith the limestone lochs the peatland areas of Sutherland and Caithness contain so many lochs and lochans with varying numbers and sizes of wild brown trout, not all specimens, that you could spend a lifetime trying to fish them all.

Salmon and sea trout fishing is also abundant in the area. The Helmsdale, Naver and Shin systems all offer great opportunities. Further to the west are many ‘spate’ rivers which if fished at the right levels can produce some great fishing. Loch fishing for salmon and sea trout can sometimes be overlooked. Loch Hope is renowned for its catches of migratory fish, sea trout in particular.

Fieldsports

Visitors can also shoot grouse, pheasant and woodcock and snipe. Not in as high numbers as some of the more well known shoots in Scotland and probably ‘walked up’ rather than driven. The smaller bags are more than made up for by the scenery and atmosphere of the area.

Duck flighting and goose shooting, with considerable numbers of greylag arriving in late October and November, are also available.

Stalking is available for both red and roe deer. Roe Deer stalking is more abundant in Caithness. Due to the lack of trees Sutherland can present some very traditional red deer stalking involving a long walk and crawl to get in position.

Set yourself a challenge and try for a McNab, a grouse, a salmon and a stag in 24 hours!

  • View our Tour Operators page to find the perfect guide to take you on your next adventure.
  • View our Local Shopping page to find your nearest equipment rentals.

Photos on this page by James Gunn.

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Posted by Venture North on January 30th 2020

In 2020, Scotland celebrates its Coasts and Waters with a year-long programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape. Caithness and Sutherland boasts a hugely varied coastline and a rich offeri…

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Thrumster Game and Countryside Fair

Thrumster Game and Countryside Fair

Come and enjoy a day out for all the family celebrating country and rural life. Including falconry, livestock show, country skills and crafts demonstrations, competitions, food demos and local producers and much more

13 August 2022
10:30am - 5:00pm
Thrumster Mains, Manse Road
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Venture North are the Destination Management Organisation for tourism in Caithness and Sutherland. We play a lead role in tourism across the region, working with local partners, tourism businesses and communities to ensure Caithness and Sutherland continues to be a high-quality tourism destination offering a wide range of activities and experiences for visitors in a unique and stunning natural landscape and environment.

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