TAY DISTRICT 61 



estuary, since they are to be regarded as fixed engine fishing. 

 This decision is largely responsible for freeing the lower reaches 

 of the estuary of nets, and has resulted in the suppression of 

 drift net or hang net fishing in several other estuaries where 

 it could be and was practised. The only district which is 

 not affected by it, so far as the question has yet been 

 tested, is the Solway, the clauses of the Scottish Acts regu- 

 lating fixed net fishing being there excepted and the 

 English regulations being substituted, with the result that 

 considerable confusion and difficulty follow. Netting by 

 means of sweep or draught net net and coble fishing is 

 practised during the whole season between Perth Bridge and 

 the mouth of the Earn. Above the Bridge of Perth, since 

 1906, a reduction in the netting has been agreed to by the 

 Tay Fisheries Company. Between the Linn of Campsie, which 

 is the one partial barrier in the whole of the main river (a dyke 

 of dolerite rock through which the current has worn a great 

 gap), and the Bridge of Perth, a distance of about 9 miles, 

 netting is now carried on only till 31st May in each year, and 

 in addition to this a sixty hours weekly close time is allowed. 

 This means much for the passage of fish to the upper waters, 

 although between four and five thousand are probably 

 accounted for before 31st May. 



By agreement of all proprietors of fishings no netting is now 

 carried on above the Linn, and very commonly in recent years, 

 thanks chiefly to the Duke of Bedford, no nets are fished above 

 Perth in March and April, and only the shots at or near the 

 Linn of Campsie are fished in February. 



The names of some of the netting stations above Perth are 

 interesting. One, for instance, is called " Rome." A large 

 Roman camp once existed in the haugh land now forming part 

 of the policies of Scone Palace, and the name of the netting 

 station is believed to be derived in consequence. The river 

 Almond enters on the opposite side, and from it the Perth Lade 

 is carried 4 miles to the Fair City. This lade is believed to 

 have been constructed by the Romans. It serves a multitude 

 of purposes nowadays, and enters the Tay in two branches, 

 one close to the Bridge of Perth, the other about the centre of 

 the South Inch. This lower branch is the source of much 

 gross pollution to the Tay, and unhappily it is not the only 



