What could be better than a summer of quiet contemplation and time in the great outdoors after all that time inside during lockdown?
Scotland has ample opportunity for socially distanced adventures and country pursuits including fishing on lochs, rivers and sea.
Here, the Good Hotel Guide shares some of their top hotels for fishing in Scotland…
Glenfinnan House Hotel, Fort William
This magical Victorian mansion is set in a dramatic location surrounded by woodland and mountains on the shores of Loch Shiel.
In a unique position across the bay from the National Trust for Scotland monument to Prince Charles Edward Stuart (a.k.a. Bonnie Prince Charlie), the hotel is known for its fishing opportunities, and its wildlife is extraordinary.
The loch offers cruises where you can spy golden eagles, black-throated divers and red deer.
Alternatively, there’s also kayaking and clay pigeon shooting available close to the hotel.
Blackaddie House, Sanquhar
This magical house on the River Nith is tranquil and old fashioned in all the best ways.
In addition to the blissful location, the superb food and the decadent four poster beds, it is a favourite amongst those who like to pass their time embroiled in country pursuits including fishing.
It has a dedicated Fishing Cottage with views of the river and is only 100 meters from John Kerr Pool, a salmon pool just upriver. There’s even a chest freezer for you to store your catch!
Bunchrew House, Inverness
This 17th century mansion gazes across Beauly Firth and offers some of life’s most rich experiences.
From four-poster beds to an impressive gin menu, and a menu of freshly prepared Scottish food with a twist.
It is also a bountiful region for trout, salmon and sea fishing on the local rivers or lochs, for which Bunchrew House can arrange rods, boats and permits.
The Green Park, Pitlochry
From the gardens dotted with sculptures to the Lochside terrace, this Victorian country house has everything you could ask for for a peaceful escape.
Such a setting would not be complete without its fair share of opportunity for country pursuits including fishing.
For example, fishing in Pitlochry includes superb salmon and trout beats on the River Tummel and River Garry as well as bank and boat fishing on Loch Bhac and Loch Kinardochy for rainbow trout and brown trout respectively.
Shieldaig Lodge, Gairloch
A grand entrance welcomes you to this blissful former hunting lodge where the lawns are lapped by Loch Gairloch.
Inside, it is like escaping to another world – one of oak-panelled walls, crackling fires, deep leather sofas and a bar stocked with 300 whiskies.
Very much a place to enjoy the great outdoors, the Lodge has fishing rights in nine major and numerous smaller lochans, with boats on six of these lochs.
You can have fly fishing lessons and the Lodge also has an agreement with a local creel fisherman so it is one of only two places in the UK where you can creelfish.
Cringletie House, Peebles
A small baronial mansion, Cringletie House is surrounded by manicures lawns and woodland.
Log fires and frescoed ceilings, garden sculptures and a walled kitchen garden are amongst the features it has to offer.
Cringletie House is also known for its first-class fishing. The property offers experienced and first-time anglers a fantastic opportunity to fish in some of Scotland’s finest waters.
Perfectly placed in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Cringletie House is within easy reach of the River Tweed, the Berwickshire coast and numerous local lochs for salmon and trout fishing.
Forss House, Thurso
Wooded grounds and the meandering River Forss set a tranquil scene for this Georgian hotel with strong fishing links.
Seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients are the order of the day, and in particular we recommend the Finnan haddock at breakfast in the sunny conservatory.
There is so much to see and do in the surrounding area, whether you wish to visit historic castles or see the Northern Lights, go trout fishing, surfing, golf, horse riding and mountain biking are also favourite pastimes and opportunities to explore the surrounding area.
Kinloch House, Blairgowrie
A Victorian country house hotel, Kinloch House stands in parkland, gazing over Highland cattle and gently rolling hills.
Curiosities pepper the hotel, such as a bear guarding the front door and antlers and sheep horns on the panelled walls.
Here, they offer some of the best salmon fishing in Scotland on the River Tay, and the hotel will help you to make all the necessary arrangements whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler.
The Colonsay, Colonsay
A short wander up a single track road from the ferry on the Isle of Colonsay and you will find a modest hotel – you have reached your destination.
The Colonsay is an unpretentious and informal inn with a buzzy bar filled with locally brewed island beer and malt whiskies.
The island is an opportunity to go fly fishing or sea fishing. The lochs here are managed with a view to conserving the native brown trout – a distinct variety that are descendants of the fish introduced by the monastic community of Kiloran Abbey.
For sea fishing you will either need a boat or rock-fishing with a rod, or line fishing from the pier or slip.
Eddrachilles Hotel, Sourie
A small, owner run Highland hotel, Eddrachilles Hotel is a former church with views of the island studded Badcall Bay.
Eddrachilles is not a dedicated fishing hotel but lots of guests enjoy Sutherland’s fishing in its lochs and rivers or along its rugged coast.
There are excellent fly fishing and sea fishing options as well as on the limestone lochs by Durness.
It is best to arrange with the local fishing clubs in advance of your visit. For example, you can get local permits from Scourie and District Angling Club.
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