Loch Na Saobhaide

RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.

Grid Reference: 800 471

Elevation: 217m

Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum).


Leave the A897  at grid reference 891 437 and follow the forestry track for a distance of 5.5 miles to  park at 819 471. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Walk west for a distance of 1.55km to reach the loch. Saobhaide is a delightful loch in the heart of the flow country, guarded to the south by the Beinn Griam Mountains. There are many inviting bays and promontories to keep the angler interested and trout average 6/8 oz. Large baskets are the norm.


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    Loch Coulbackie

    Fishing season 1st April to 5th October.

    Grid Reference: 872 614

    Elevation: 133m

    Bag Limit: Catch and Release


    Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk SE for a distance of approximately 1.8km to reach the loch. This loch has been seldom visited in recent times so little is known about the quality of fishing. Historical records have shown fish of over 2lbs being caught in the past, well worth a visit for the determined, adventurous angler.


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      Loch Sgitheanach

      Fishing season 1st April to 5th October.

      Grid Reference: 870 623

      Elevation: 132m

      Bag Limit: Catch and Release


      Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk ESE for a distance of approximately 1km to reach the loch. This loch has been seldom visited in recent times so little is known about the quality of fishing. Historical records have shown fish of over 2lbs being caught in the past, well worth a visit for the determined, adventurous angler.


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        Loch Achridigill

        Fishing season 1st April to 5th October.

        Grid Reference: 857 612

        Elevation: 153m

        Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


        Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road about 600 meters west of Melvich at grid reference 868651. A gate code must be obtained to access the track that you follow south for about 4 or 5km. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk in a southerly direction, past Loch Baligill, keeping to the high ground for a distance of 1.2km.

        Loch Achridigill is a very productive loch for all fishing levels. A boat which will be found on the NW shore is available if booked in advance, otherwise a rocky shoreline requires careful wading but the rocks hold many trout very close in from 6oz to 10oz with the odd larger fish further out. The loch level used to be several feet higher and the east end is shallow and studded with rocks so be very careful when boat fishing. Bags of 50+ may be caught and fish may be kept for the pot.


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          Loch Baligill

          Fishing season 1st April to 5th October.

          Grid Reference: 856 620

          Elevation: 153m

          Bag Limit: Catch and Release


          Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road about 600 meters west of Melvich at grid reference 868651. A gate code must be obtained to access the track that you follow south for about 4 or 5km. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Walk south and west over the hill  a distance of approximately 800m, and the view opens up to reveal lochs Baligill and Ackridigill to the south with the Orkney Islands also visible over the North Sea on a clear day.

          Loch Baligill is one of the most challenging of club waters with some steep banks   After it was dammed for the local water supply in the late 1970s, there were a few good years of large trout taken from 2lbs to 3.5lbs with one exceptional fish landed in the 1980s of over 8lbs (believed to be the record trout for club waters). However, it is rare to find any other entries of trout over 3lbs in the old game books and in recent years (since the 1990s) very little if any fish have been caught here, although some have been seen on warm, calm evenings. Nothing is known about the best approach to fish this loch but it is certainly one for the hardy specimen hunter and worth a cast when tied in with a trip to the very productive loch Ackridigill. Expect more blanks than productive days – catch-and-release only.


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            Caol North

            Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

            Grid Reference: 843 581

            Elevation: 155m

            Bag Limit: Catch and Release


            Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road in Strathy at Grid reference 841650 and drive south on the east side of the river Strathy for a distance of 7km to park at 828583. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the final part of the bumpy track. Head east up the hill for an energetic 25-30 minutes, a distance of approximately 1.5km, to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass.

            Caol has a small head of fish and is undoubtedly an expert’s water.  In recent years the loch has suffered from a number of unlicensed fishermen over-exploiting the loch. Please be vigilant and challenge anyone on the ground to produce the FFFC credentials! No wading is needed here as the banks drop away to several feet in depth and fish often cruise the margins so stay back from the banks and fish carefully. It is worth targeting any rising fish that occasionally appear in flat calms.

            Expect more blank than productive days but Caol has a reputation of producing fish of outstanding quality up to and over 3lbs in weight. One for the determined, experienced angler.


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              Loch a Mhuilinn

              Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

              Grid Reference: 873 562

              Elevation: 131m

              Bag Limit: Catch and Release


              Leave A897 Helmsdale/Melvich road at Grid reference 892555, follow the minor road north to park at 889561 and walk west up the hill for a strenuous 20 minutes, a distance of 1.4km. Very little is known about the fishing on Mhuilinn, it is deep enough and fertile enough to hold fish but there is no information to date. Perhaps worth a cast for the adventurous angler.


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                Loch Earacha

                Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                Grid Reference: 898 607
                Elevation: 16m
                Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)

                Parking is found roadside on the A897 at the north end of the loch next to the field gate – care should be taken not to obstruct access through gate. The 50 meter walk from the car down to the water makes this loch a useful place to visit for anglers unable to explore the further reached lochs within the Club. Over a firm bottom, wading is possible and advantageous in the southerly half of the loch, changing to soft difficult wading in the north half where great care should be taken. As with all lochs, anglers should fish the shallows around the edges of Earacha before wading out. This is particularly true in the late evening when low light conditions give larger fish the cover required to search for food in the shallows. Average fish in the region of 10oz with some over 1lb.


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                  Cross Lochs

                  RSPB Lochs. Fishing season 1st April to 5th October. Three ‘clear rest days’ between angling days.

                  Grid Reference: 869 469

                  Elevation: 181m

                  Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                  Leave the A897 at Grid reference 897510 follow the forestry track to park at Grid reference 861470. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. The first of the lochs is a short ten minute walk in an ENE direction. The Cross Lochs are a group of 5 small lochs so-called as their layout allegedly forms the shape of a Cross. Of the 5 lochs 3 are named and four are known to contain fish. Expect more blank than productive days though there is always the possibility of one for the ‘glass case’. The first loch is shallow and reedy and can be difficult to fish, though records indicate fish to 1.5lbs being caught. Travelling SE, Mac is the next loch, not a particularly inspiring loch, shallow and peaty in places, but a reputation of producing magnificent trout up to 6.5lbs! Continuing in a SE direction is Willy’s, probably the most productive loch with fish regularly caught up to 2lbs in weight with the occasional bigger fish. Willy’s is easy to wade and fish are caught all over the loch. The final loch is jubilee, quite a large loch, deep in parts and very fertile.  Surprisingly fish in the 12/14oz range can be caught in Jubilee but it is home to some seriously big trout. The majority of the loch is difficult to wade due to a soft bottom though the east bank is safe. The boat, located where the loch narrows on the northerly shore of Willy’s, is available to use on Jubilee also. It will require 2 fit anglers to pull the boat the 20m distance between the lochs and anglers must return the boat to Willy’s after use. For at least one angler aboard, waders are recommended when using a boat on any of the lochs, this is especially true on Willy’s where the boat will have to be pulled through shallow water at times. Please note that Jubilee is out of bounds due to nesting birds for a large part of the season (May-July).


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                    Loch nan Gall

                    Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                    Grid Reference: 867 579

                    Elevation: 117m

                    Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                    Leave A897 Helmsdale/Melvich road at Grid reference 892555, follow the minor road north to park at Upper Bighouse 888575. Follow the track north for a further 400m then head west up the hill to the loch a walk of approximately 25 minutes. Nan Gall has a good head of fish which average 8oz in weight with the occasional larger specimen. Peace and quiet guaranteed in a delightful moorland setting.


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                      Loch na h-Eaglasie Mor (South end)

                      Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                      Grid Reference: 861 599

                      Elevation: 141m

                      Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                      Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Eaglaise Mor involves an energetic 3km walk over some wet ground, visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Walk south keeping to the high ground east of Cnoc Eipteil. Continue walking south passing along the east bank of Achridigill, the northern bank of Eaglaise Mor is a further 15 minute walk. The loch holds a good head of well-conditioned trout which average 10oz in weight. Fish can be caught all over the loch. Despite the challenging walk in Eaglaise Mor is a delightful place to fish, remote, peaceful and amongst the spectacular scenery of the flow country.


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                        Loch nan Clach

                        Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                        Grid Reference: 861 590

                        Elevation: 147m

                        Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                        Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Nan Clach involves an energetic 4.2km walk over some wet ground, visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Walk south keeping to the high ground east of Cnoc Eipteil. Continue walking south passing along the east bank of Achridigill, the northern bank of Eaglaise Mor is a further 15 minute walk. Continue heading south following the east shore of Eaglaise Mor then over the open moor to reach Nan Clach. Little is known about the fishing in this loch but it is well worth a visit combined with other lochs in the area. One for the adventurous angler.


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                          Loch Badaidh na Meana

                          Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                          Grid Reference: 55 575

                          Elevation: 145m

                          Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                          Leave A897 Helmsdale/Melvich road at Grid reference 892555, follow the minor road north to park at Upper Bighouse 888575. Head west up the hill for a distance of approximately 3km, an energetic 45 minute walk. The loch can also be approached from the Strathy forest track. Little is known about the fishing in this loch but it is well worth a visit combined with other lochs in the area. One for the adventurous angler.


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                            Loch na h-Eaglaise Beag

                            Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                            Grid Reference: 854 590

                            Elevation: 145m

                            Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                            Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 868651 and follow the road south. This is a rough track so a 4×4 will be necessary to drive to the end and park at 859626. Eaglaise Beag involves an energetic 4.5km walk over some wet ground, visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Walk south keeping to the high ground east of Cnoc Eipteil. Continue walking south passing along the east bank of Achridigill, the northern bank of Eaglaise Mor is a further 15 minute walk. Follow the west bank of the loch until about half way down then head SW across the moor, Eaglaise Mor is a further ten minute walk. The loch is shallow with some outstanding quality fish up to 2lbs in weight; the west bank deepens quickly and is very soft and difficult to wade in places though can be productive. Despite the challenging walk in Eaglaise Beag is a delightful place to fish, remote, peaceful and amongst the spectacular scenery of the flow country.


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                              Caol Loch (South)

                              Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                              Grid Reference: 850 550

                              Elevation: 138m

                              Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                              Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 841650 and drive south for a distance of 9km to park at 827565. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the fence line uphill in an ENE direction for a strenuous 700m, at the corner of the fence line head SE for a distance of 2km to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. One of the most remote club lochs and is surrounded by delightful moorland. Caol has a good head of bright fish averaging 8oz with the occasional larger fish. Cast with confidence anywhere on the loch from the bank. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                Loch nam Bo Uidhre

                                Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                Grid Reference: 845 571

                                Elevation: 154m

                                Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road in Strathy at Grid reference 841650 and drive south, staying on the east side of the river. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Either park at around 7km and walk uphill out past the southern end of Loch Caol for 50 minutes or stay on the track for a distance of 9km to park at 827565. Follow the fence line uphill in an ENE direction for a strenuous 700m, at the top of the hill continue travelling ENE to reach the loch after a further 1km walk. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass.

                                Little is known about the fishing in Bo Uidhre. It is one for the adventurous angler as it does not hold a large head of fish. The banks have a shallow gradient consisting of large rocks so wading is extremely treacherous and what fish are there are likely to be further out. No boat is available. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                  Loch Preas an Lochan

                                  Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                  Grid Reference: 845 537

                                  Elevation: 183m

                                  Bag Limit: 6 fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                                  Leave the A897 at Grid reference 897510 follow the forestry track to park at Grid reference 841504. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the forest ride in a NNW direction, cross the deer fence using the stile or gate, head due North for a distance of 1.5km to reach Lochan nan Clach Geala, Preas an Lochan lies a further 1.5km in a NNE direction.  Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Little is known about the fishing though historically this loch has produced fish up to 3lbs in weight though due to its nature this loch is unlikely to hold a large head of fish. Start fishing well back from the bank as fish may lie close in. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                    Loch an Fheoir

                                    Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                    Grid Reference: 844 562

                                    Elevation: 148m

                                    Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                    Leave the A836  Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 841650 and drive south for a distance of 9km to park at 827565. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the fence line uphill in an ENE direction for a strenuous 700m, at the corner of the fence head ESE for approximately 1km to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Fheoir is a small, relatively shallow loch which can be fished from the bank. However parts of the bank can be very soggy so waders might be advisable. Fheoir does not have a large head of fish though the average size will be in the region of 1lb though don’t be surprised by something larger. Start fishing well back as fish may lie close in. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                      Loch Badaireach na Gaoithe

                                      Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                      Grid Reference: 843 510

                                      Elevation: 185m

                                      Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                      Leave the A897 at Grid reference 897510 follow the forestry track to park at Grid reference 841504. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. The loch is a short ten minute walk. Follow the forest ride in a NNW direction, cross the deer fence using the stile or gate, the loch lies 200m to the East. Little is known about the fishing though due to the nature of this loch it is unlikely to hold a large head of fish. Start fishing well back from the bank as fish may lie close in.


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                                        Lochan nan Clach Geala

                                        Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                        Grid Reference: 840 524

                                        Elevation: 203m

                                        Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                        Leave the A897 at Grid reference 897510 follow the forestry track to park at Grid reference 841504. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the forest ride in a NNW direction, cross the deer fence using the stile or gate, the loch lies a further 1.5km to the North. Little is known about the fishing though due to the nature of this loch it is unlikely to hold a large head of fish. Start fishing well back from the bank as fish may lie close in. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                          Lochan na Ceardaich

                                          Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                          Grid Reference: 838 550

                                          Elevation: 178m

                                          Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                          Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 841650 and drive south for a distance of 9km to park at 827565. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the fence line uphill in an ENE direction for a strenuous 700m, at the corner of the fence line head SSE for a distance of 1.7km to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Little is known about the fishing in this loch which is unlikely to hold a large head of fish but fish up to and over 2lbs have been caught in the past. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                            Loch Crasgach

                                            Fishing Season 1st April to 30th June.

                                            Grid Reference: 834 543

                                            Elevation: 163m

                                            Bag Limit: Catch and Release


                                            Leave the A836 Thurso/Bettyhill road at Grid reference 841650 and drive south for a distance of 9km to park at 827565. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Follow the fence line uphill in an ENE direction for a strenuous 700m, at the corner of the fence line head due south for a distance of 2.2km to reach the loch. Visiting anglers should carry the relevant OS map and a compass. Little is known about the fishing in this loch which is unlikely to hold a large head of fish but fish up to 2lbs have been caught in the past. Combine with other lochs in the area for an adventurous day out.


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                                              Loch Nam Breac

                                              Fishing Season 1st April to 5th October.

                                              Grid Reference: 826 479

                                              Elevation: 184m

                                              Bag Limit: 6 Fish limit (9″ inch minimum)


                                              Grid Reference & Parking 10/826479. From the A897 Melvich to Helmsdale road 1/4 mile south of the Cemetery, drive west approx 6 miles along forestry tracks leading to Nam Breac. A 4×4 or vehicle with high clearance is required to negotiate the bumpy track. Parking at the end of the track leaves a short 5-8 minute walk eastwards through a forest ride over wet boggy ground, crossing the deer fence style here anglers will arrive on the west bank.  In low water, Nam Breac acts as a small compensation flow to the Halladale river.  As such, the water level of the loch can vary throughout the season by as much as 7-8 feet. With a large head of fish averaging 8oz anglers can expect catches to be plentiful all around this loch.


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