Firstly, the rivers of Scotland have clean, well oxygenated water and an abundance of fish. Collectively, the total distance of all rivers and burns (streams) in Scotland, adds up to 77,000 miles in length. This article lists the main rivers and defines the fish species.
- River Tay – the biggest of the rivers in Scotland
- River Tweed – (River in Borders Scotland)
- River Dee Scotland – (rivers in Aberdeenshire Scotland)
- Rivers in Highlands Scotland, The River Ness
- (Rivers Aberdeenshire in Scotland) – River Deveron
- The River Don
- The River Shin – (Rivers in North Scotland)
- River Conon (Salmon Rivers in North Scotland)
- The River Helmsdale (Rivers in North Scotland)
- The River Spey (Rivers in North East Scotland)
River Tay – the biggest of the rivers in Scotland
The River Tay is 119 miles long and is the longest river in Scotland. This historic river, with a rich angling heritage, contains, Salmon, Trout, Sea Trout, Grayling. In addition, it also contains Pike, Roach and Perch, Minnows, stickleback and European Eels and Lamprey.
River Tweed – (River in Borders Scotland)
The River Tweed is 97 miles long, and in fact one of the world’s most iconic fishing rivers. The River Tweed contains Salmon, Trout, Sea Trout, Grayling, Pike, Roach, Dace, Perch, Minnows, Lamprey, Flounder, Stickleback and European Eels.
River Dee Scotland – (rivers in Aberdeenshire Scotland)
To begin, the River Dee is 90 miles long. Apart from being a legendary salmon and trout river, it contains a diverse species of fish. Also the Aberdeenshire Dee contains Sea Trout, Minnows, Lamprey, Pike, Perch, Stone Loach, Flounders and European Eels.
Rivers in Highlands Scotland, The River Ness
The River Ness is only 7 miles long from Loch Ness to the sea. Despite its short length, the Ness is a wide river and an important migratory route for Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout. In fact in the last few years, the Ness has been one of Scotland’s top performing salmon rivers. Lastly, we have three professional guides available to deliver salmon fishing days on the Ness.
The River Ness contains the following fish species.
| Rivers and Lochs | Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) | Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) |
| Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus) | Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) | |
| River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) | Brook Lamprey (Lampetra planeri) | |
| European Eel (Anguilla anguilla) | Pike (Esox lucius) | |
| European Perch (Perca fluviatilis) | Common Minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) | |
| Transitional | Three-Spined Stickleback(Gasterostreus aculeatus) | Flounder (Platichthys flesus) |
| Coastal | Fifteen-Spined Stickleback (Spinachia spinachia) | Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) |
| Saithe (Pollachius virens) |
(Rivers Aberdeenshire in Scotland) – River Deveron
Firstly the River Deveron is approximately 55 miles long and one of Scotland’s best rivers for salmon and trout. The Deveron is famous for salmon fishing, it contains, salmon, sea trout, brown trout. In fact, the Deveron is one of the UK’s best brown trout rivers.
The River Don
Firstly, the River Don contains salmon and sea trout, however is famous for its excellent brown trout fishing. The Don is blessed with clean, well-oxygenated water, and abundant insect life. Meanwhile the River Don is 81 miles long and is the 6th longest river in Scotland.
The River Shin – (Rivers in North Scotland)
The River Shin is a short river, and runs 6 miles from Loch Shin to the Kyle of Sutherland. Furthermore, the Shin is part of a Hydro Electric system, so that diverted water at Loch Shin means that the river levels remain fairly constant.
The Shin is predominately a salmon and sea trout, river but also contains brown trout.
River Conon (Salmon Rivers in North Scotland)
Firstly the River Conon is one of Ross-shire’s best salmon and sea-trout rivers. Secondly, the Conan was transformed by a major hydro-electric scheme in the 1950s. Nowadays the most productive salmon fishing is in the Lower Conon. Finally the river runs for about 8 miles in length, from Loch Achonachie to the Cromarty Firth.
The Conan contains a diverse range of fish, the main species being salmon, sea trout and brown trout.
The River Helmsdale (Rivers in North Scotland)
The Helmsdale is one of Scotland’s premier salmon rivers. Upstream of the association water, the river is divided into 12 beats. Also, it’s difficult to get access to the Helmsdale and there is a waiting list for fishing permits. Lastly the river peaks in May and fishes well through the summer months.
The Helmsdale contains salmon, sea trout and wild brown trout.
The River Spey (Rivers in North East Scotland)
Firstly, the majestic Spey is one of the world’s iconic salmon fishing rivers. In addition you would be hard pushed to fin another river that offers better fly fishing water than on the 98 miles of the Spey. In fact, whilst the Spey starts flowing slowly, it gathers pace as it heads to the sea and this makes for lovely streamy fly water.
Spey casting, has its origins on the Spey. Alexander Grant, developed Spey Casting techniques after making a double hand rod from South American Greenheart wood. Indeed, in 1865, he achieved a world record cast of 65 yards. Notably, this record has stood for 110 years. However it was broken by Scott McKenzie with a cast of 68 yards in 2006.
The Spey contains, salmon, brown trout, sea trout. In addition you will find sea lamprey, European eel, Arctic char, pike, minnow, three-spined stickleback and flounders in the tidal water.
Summary of the biggest rivers in Scotland by Length
Everything you need to know about salmon fishing on the River Tay
