Walking
Attadale Holiday cottage guests are well placed to enjoy the hill walking available on Attadale Estate and beyond.
Walking in the Highlands is a wonderful experience, but it can also be dangerous for the unprepared. The weather can change very quickly and much of the estate is isolated. Mobile phones do not work inland, so please don't rely on them in case of emergencies.
Remember-
Always tell somebody where you are going and when you expect to be back.
If you plan to be away overnight, please leave a note visible in your vehicle.
Be prepared, always carry warm and waterproof clothing, whatever the weather forecast says
Carry energy foods like nuts and chocolate to sustain you
Always carry a map and compass
Don't push yourself too hard, enjoy the walk!!
The old Stalkers House at Beinn Dronaig, GR(014389) has been renovated and is open all year to act as a refuge and overnight shelter for passing walkers. There are also mountain Bothies at Bearneas, GR(021431) and Maol-Bhuidhe, GR(053359).
Whilst stalking can take place from July through to mid October, it starts in earnest from the third week in September until about 20 October. During this period, we would ask walkers to keep off the high ground but if they are going to climb the Munros, it is appreciated if they can call the stalker to allow him to plan his day. This does not affect walking on the hill road and around the forestry.
Should you wish to go beyond this, please contact the stalker for advice.
Contact Number: Thomas Watson, Stalker, 01520 722308
All grid references on these walks relate to the OS Map-Glen Carron, Sheet 25, 1:50 000.
Fishing Opportunities
Attadale Holiday cottage guests are well placed to enjoy the hill loch fishing available on Attadale Estate and beyond.
River Carron
Attadale owns the fishing on the River Carron from the road bridge at Strathcarron to the river mouth. Day tickets are available from Roddy MacLennan on 07818 032368.
The West coast Carron is a fairly short river of about 15 miles and like most West coast rivers is only fishable when there is sufficient water.
About twenty-two years ago the annual salmon and sea trout catch fell dramatically. The river proprietors with the help of Bob Kindness, the then head of Seafield College in Kishorn, started a restocking programme. This consisted of catching a few hen fish which were installed in a hatchery at Attadale. The resulting progeny were retained in the tanks as a breeding stock. Their progeny in turn were the basis for a long term restocking programme for the river. Fish were put back as fry, parr and smolts over the years.
It was agreed that all fish caught should be retained in keep nets so that Bob could decide whether to keep them for future breeding purposes or to put them back in the river having marked them. This was part of an ongoing research programme that has produced some interesting data. It is evident that about 15% of the salmon caught have been caught twice and some fish have been caught three times! There is also evidence that the fish have a better chance of recovering if they are put in the keep net and allowed to rest there rather than being released straight back in the river.
After eight years the total salmon catch for the river has averaged over 200 salmon for the last three years. The recovery in mature sea trout numbers has been less successful in spite of the large numbers released into the river. This suggests that there is a problem with the food chain at sea.
Bob Kindness is now running this project with the full backing of the Inverness College, University of the Highlands & Islands. See here for further information.
Bob explains the process to Price Charles
Hill Lochs
There are many hill lochs on the estate all of which have trout, most of which are very small. Some lochs are more accessible than others and some have bigger fish than others. The keen and fit angler can have good sport but must be prepared to walk some distance to get to the better lochs.
These days they are under-fished and we encourage anglers not to put trout back, however small, to try and maintain a stock of reasonable and edible fish. There are also pike of a considerable size in the Gead Lochs but these are a long way in from the main road and really require staying overnight in the Ben Dronaig Bothy