First, meet our team of professional fishing and tour guides. In fact, it has taken 21 years to bring together this outstanding group of experts. Additionally, we take great pride in welcoming you to the places we have explored, studied, and fished throughout our lives.
Without exception, each of us is eager to share our knowledge and passion for Scotland. As a result, we strive to create unforgettable experiences for every guest. Because we welcome anglers of all skill levels, you will always find a kind word and a helping hand.
Meanwhile, our guides bring a diverse range of skills and expertise. As a result, we carefully match you with the right guide to meet your specific needs. Moreover, we are fully committed to delivering enjoyable and memorable fishing adventures across Scotland.
To sum up, don’t just take our word for it—see what our guests have to say by reading their reviews of our fishing trips and tours!
Stewart Collingswood
Founder/Managing Director
I’ve been an Orvis Endorsed guide in Scotland for 22 years. I carry PVG clearance (safe to work with minors), RYA power boat qualification and First Aid Certification. I’m a professional photographer and qualified CAA drone pilot. I spent my boyhood fly fishing on the River Tweed system in Scotland, fishing for salmon, trout and grayling. This fuelled an interest to fish explore every corner of Scotland, for all species.
Scott Rutherford
Orvis Endorsed Guide Dee, Spey and Tay
Scott works part time for Orvis and is an Orvis endorsed guide. Scott guides on the River Dee, Don, Devon, Findhorn and Spey, he’s also available on Shetland and Orkney.
Scott also guides on the River Ness.
Additionally, Scott also has great knowledge of the trout lochs in the Aberdeenshire area, including the excellent Loch Insch. Scott is one of the nicest guides you will meet, a true gentleman and ambassador for the sport and Scotland.
Bill Drew
Guide, Non Exec Director/ Business advisor
Bill joined Alba after retiring from running Tweedguide for 14 years. He began his fishing in rural Aberdeenshire and the rivers of the North. For more than 30 years he has fished the iconic river Tweed. As a fly fishing guide for the last 20 years, guiding more than 2000 clients. Bill’s initial interest was gleaned from his Dad and he has passed on his passion for fly fishing to his children and grandchildren and happy clients from every corner of the globe.
John Hood
Fishing Guide/ Casting Instructor
John is a senior member of our team, having worked with Alba for over 15 years now. He is both a guide and casting instructor and holds the SGAIC single and double hand qualification. He is PVG Disclosure Scotland checked (safe to work with minors) and a trained first aider. John is patient, kind and holds great angling wisdom.
He is also a highly accomplished fly tier, and his trout and salmon patterns are truly unique.
Graeme Ferguson
Head Fishing Guide
Graeme is ex Scots Guards and a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a superb fishing guide, river & loch trout specialist & Fly Tyer. Graeme is now our Head Guide delivering more than 160 trips each season.
He is meticulous with detail and enjoyable to spend time with. Graeme has also fished for Scotland at International level.
Stephen Japp
Fishing Guide – River Tweed and Tay
Stephen first ran a successful trout fishery in Scotland, which is where we met him. In recent years, he has excelled as a salmon and trout river guide, demonstrating both adaptability and expertise in fishing still waters.
Moreover, Stephen expertly guides on the Tay, Dee, and Tweed systems, always providing a patient and enjoyable experience for those who spend the day with him.
Simon Gawesworth
Casting instructor qualified A.P.G.A.I. and S.T.A.N.I.C. certified in the U.K. and C.I., Master and T.H.C.I. certified in the U.S.
Simon is one of the world’s best casting instructors. Since Alba’s selection
to become a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Simon is available to work with individuals or small groups to develop and teach casting skills. Simon is now based in Scotland and works in partnership with Sage/ Flywater Travel and Alba.
Bob McAndrew
Fishing Guide River Tay, Ericht and trout lochs
Bob is a former gamekeeper and highly skilled trout, pike, and salmon angler, specialising in wilderness fishing. Based in Blairgowrie, he guides on the Tay, and tributaries and is a highly skilled at tying effective fly patterns for Scottish waters.
Bob is also available for deer stalking and other shooting trips.
Hugh Hynd
Fishing Guide- Edinburgh/ Lothians
Hugh manages one of the private fishing venues we have access too and is also one of our most trusted guides. You can call him “Shug” “Shuggie” for those overseas guests, this is what anyone called Hugh gets called in Scotland! Hugh is a highly experienced pike and trout fisherman and also guides on the Tweed and Tay for salmon fishing trips. Hugh has a calming relaxed nature and is good fun to be with..
Alec Harvey
Fishing Guide/ Sea Fishing and Trout
Alec Harvey is a highly experienced guide and former World Champion Sea Angler. The Sea Fishing world still talk about him, however, nowadays, his focus is on trout fishing on Scottish Stillwaters.
Alec once won two brand new cars in a World Sea Fishing competition. His fly tying skills are available on YouTube.
Mark Ashburner
Trout and Grayling Fishing Guide River Tweed, Whiteadder and Tay
To begin, Mark is from South Africa and has lived and worked in Scotland for years.
Also Mark is an extremely competent trout and grayling angler, with a brilliant personality and enjoyable to spend a day with. Mark also makes his own fly rods and ties flies.
Sam Jarman
Fishing Guide/ casting instructor Spey, Dee and Tay
Furthermore, as an accomplished golf coach and published author on the subject, he applies the same patience, methodology, and training principles to casting. As a result, he stands out as one of the most patient guides on our team.
Adam
Fishing Guide Argyll, Glencoe/ Fort William
He can deliver trips for salmon, trout, pike and saltwater species from Glencoe House, Inverlochy Castle and Eriska hotels.
Adam is fully insured and a certified First Aider. He also has a PHD doctorate in Marine Science.
Bob Cockburn
Fishing Guide – Trout Lochs and rivers
A superb trout guide and fly tyer. It’s often joked about with our team that Bob could catch trout in a puddle.
Bob specialises in loch fishing and fishing for rainbow trout. His local water is Coldingham Loch, and when not guiding, Bob is a permanent fixture on the loch, fine tuning his skills. His specialist fly patterns are lethal, so try and raid his fly box when he takes you out.
Darren Primrose
Chauffeur/ Tour Guide
Darren is a retired police officer and now experienced tour guide. He is reliable, friendly and knowledgable on the geography and history of Scotland.
Also, Darren has a long wheel base Mercedes people carrier, with ample space for 7 guests and a huge boot for luggage.
Andy
Fishing Guide, Lewis, Harris and the Western Isles
To begin, Andy is a terrific salmon angler and highly knowledgeable of west Coast of Scotland rivers, including the River Lochy, Garry, Oich and others.
Also he is now based on the Isle of Harris in the Hebrides and is available to guide on salmon and trout fishing trips in the Western Isles.
Finally, Andy and his partner run a super guest house on Harris and can host fishing trips on for salmon, trout sea trout and pollack.
Alan Catney
Fishing Guide River Dee
Alan is a calm relaxed guide and is wonderful to spend a day with. He has excellent knowledge especially of salmon fishing on the River Dee
To conclude, these guides will maximise your day with us. Afterward, if you have enjoyed your day with your guide, it is custom in Scotland to tip. Finally if you wish to book a trip in Scotland, please get in touch.
