Fishing on the Spey

The River Spey is the home of speycasting and one of Scotland's big four salmon rivers. It has the third largest drainage area after the Tay and Tweed and is the second longest after the Tay.

The season runs from mid February and runs until the end of September. Anglers can expect to catch fish from the opening day onwards throughout the river, depending on the temperature and river heights.. Spring salmon have a special beauty that other fish just cannot match. The early fish are not usually very big, averaging around 10 pounds, but as the spring run increases the fish get larger, with 20 pounders expected in May. The ghillies on Speyside maintain the grilse always arrive during Wimbledon fortnight which usually starts during the third week of June. From then on the runs of these small 5-7 pound fish slowly build in numbers. The beat can be quiet one minute then suddenly burst into life as a run of grilse enter the pools.

For Salmon

Geographically the Spey can be divided in two at Grantown, the top part being slow and the lower half faster flowing. However, for fishing the river is usually divided into three sections: upper, middle and lower. The upper river is above Grantown and is an easy boundary to define; the split between middle and lower boundaries fall just below Craigellachie where the Fiddich joins the Spey.
From the opening day on there is a fair chance of a fish downstream of Grantown depending on the water height and temperature. Fishing above Grantown usually starts just that little bit later. In cold winters when the snow lies thick on the Cairngorms and the water is low and cold a rod on the lower beats would be the preferred choice.
As the season progresses the fish are usually spread throughout the entire river and again it is a matter of chance to be on the right beat at the right time in the right conditions.

For sea trout

Sea trout fishing on the Spey is probably one of anglings best kept secrets. The season starts in April but reaches its peak in late May/early June before tailing off in July. Unlike salmon fishing where the best beats are below Grantown the best sea trout beats are located higher up.
Night time is the best time for sea trout and it is better if the pools are not disturbed during the day, which may explain why returns from the lower beats are not as good as the upper. Even fishermen need their sleep; it takes true grit to fish for salmon all day and sea trout all night, especially in mid June when the Scottish nights are extremely short.

 
Golf in Speyside

The Highlands of Scotland provides some of the best championship golf courses in the country, suitable for all abilities and pockets. 46 Highland golf courses in some of the most beautiful surroundings.

There are 7 parkland courses of varying levels in the Speyside area, here they are listed

Grantown on Spey Golf Club, Golf Course Road, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, PH26 3HY Tel: 01479 872079  www.grantoenonspeygolfclub.com

Established in 1890, Grantown-on-Spey Golf Club welcomes individual players and Societies. The 5710 yard course has a par of 70 (SSS68) and was progressively developed over the early part of the century by A.C. Brown, Willie Park and James Braid.
Located in the beautiful Spey Valley, the course is a mixture of parkland and woodland with many magnificent views towards the Cairngorm range and the Cromdale Hills. Walking is relatively easy and the course presents a fair challenge for every calibre of golfer.
Length: 5710 yards, Holes: 18, Par: 70, Fees: Weekday Round £25 Weekday Day Ticket £30, Weekend Round £30, Weekend Day Ticket £35

Boat of Garten, Boat of Garten, Inverness-shire, PH24 3BQ tel: 01479 831282 www.boatgolf.com 

Designed by one of the grand-masters of golf course architecture - James Braid, "The Boat" is not only a demanding test of sporting skill but also a magnificent setting for the game. The view from the clubhouse, over the 1st and 2nd fairways and beyond, to the Cairngorm mountains - with such distinctive features as the Lairig Ghru and the northern corries of Braeriach - is incomparable, certainly within the realms of Scottish golf.
Length: 5967 yards, Holes: 18, Par: 70, Fees: Weekday per round £31. Weekday per day £41, Weekend per round £36. Weekend per day £46.

Abernethy Golf Club, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire, PH25 3ED tel: 01479 821 305 www.abernethygolfclub.com 

Visitors are welcome to our traditional Highland golf course, which was founded in 1893. Often there is no need for a tee reservation to be made beforehand. 
The course is enjoyed by golfers of all standards and is a mixture of undulating parkland and moorland with a particuarly challenging 7th. The Abernethy forest lies on its boundary and from many parts of the course there are splendid views of the Strathspey valley.
Length: 2519 yards, Holes: 9, Par: 66, Fees: Day ticket Mon-Fri: £16, Twilight ticket Mon-Fri: 10, Weekend day ticket: £18, Twilight weekend ticket £12, Junior up to 17 years is half adult rate, Weekly ticket: £80, Season ticket: £150

Kingussie Golf Club, Gynack Road , Kingussie, PH21 1LR  tel: 01540 661600 www.kingussie-golf.co.uk 

Situated on the west side of the village, this parkland course, after initial troubles with the Estate, settles on its present site in 1893. Harry Vardon was approached to design the second nine holes in 1906 and by 1908 the 18 holes were in operation. Since then the club has been well patronised by visitors who find its rolling layout and stunning views a relaxing way to spend their leisure time.
Length: 5555 yards, Holes: 18, Par: 66, Fees: Mon-Fri Round £22; Day £27; Sat + Sun Round £24; Day £30; Juniors £10

Carrbridge Golf Club, Inverness Road, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, PH23 3AA tel: 01479 841623 Apr-Oct www.carrbridgegolf.com

Set in beautiful scenery, the course is a mixture of parkland and heath land. Although fairly short, it provides a challenge for golfers of all standards. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a relaxing day on the course - prior booking is not necessary.
Length: 2623 yards, Holes: 9, Par: 71, Fees: Easter - October - Midweek Round - £20.00 Midweek Day - £20.00 Weekend Round - £22.00 Weekend Day - £22.00 9 hole ticket: Weekdays Weekend 18 hole ticket:

Craggan Colf Course, Craggan, Grantown on Spey, Inverness-shire, PH26 3NT tel: 01479 873283 www.cragganforleisure.co.uk 

Craggan is now an 18 hole course of 2406 medal yards. Designed by Bill Mitchell of the PGA the first nine holes were opened in 1995 and the extension was opened in 2000.
This parkland course situated beside the river Spey in the Highland region of Scotland boasts magnificent views of the Cairngorm mountains to the south and the Cromdale hills to the east and is easily accessible from the A 95 Speyside road one mile south of Grantown on Spey.
Length: 2406 yards, Holes: 18, Par: 54, Fees: £17 for adult day ticket, £12.50 for adult round, £6 for under 16 day ticket, £2 for trolley hire, £5 for club hire.

Newtonmore Golf Course, Golf Course Road Newtonmore, PH20 1AT tel: 01540 673878 www.newtonmoregolf.com 

A hazard of playing on this course is that the concentration can be lost as the players attention wanders east to the grandeur of the Cairngorms, south to the Grampians, north to the Monadhliaths and west to the great peaks of Lochaber. These scenes together with the well-kept course bring parties and individuals back year after year.
Length: 6029 yards, Holes: 18, Par: 70, Fees: Midweek Round £25 Midweek Day £30, Weekend Round £27, Weekend Day £37, Juniors Half Adult Rate, Weekly Ticket £90, Golf Buggies for hire £18 a round, £28 per day.