CHAPTER XVII 

 RIVER BRORA 



ANGLING SEASON: January llth to September 30th. 

 NETTING SEASON: February llth to August 26th. 



This excellent little river flows parallel to, and not far south 

 of, the Helmsdale. It is, however, different in its general forma- 

 tion. In the case of the Brora the junction of upper waters 

 takes place only about 11 miles from the mouth, and in the 

 main channel between this junction and the sea a loch, Loch 

 Brora, occurs. There is, therefore, less good fishing water 

 than in the Helmsdale, although much of the river is of the 

 same fine character. 



The Upper Brora rises in the hills which overlook the Tirry, 

 a stony stream falling into Loch Shin, not far from Lairg, and 

 the Upper Brora and the Tirry run parallel for some distance, 

 but the Upper Brora, as it turns east, has to compete with a 

 more successful rival the Blackwater, with which it presently 

 joins. The Blackwater rises from both the north and south 

 sides of Ben Armine at an elevation of close upon 2,000 feet. 

 It descends through a fine moorland glen, and affords summer 

 salmon fishing for 8 or 10 miles. Balnacoil and Gordon- 

 bush Lodges are the chief centres for fishing. The former is 

 close to the junction. Ben Armine Lodge is situated away at the 

 head waters of the Blackwater, where a certain number of fish 

 are got in summer and autumn. The lodge on the Upper 

 Brora is Sciberscross. From the junction to Loch Brora is 

 fully 2| miles. 



Loch Brora is 3^ miles in length, and has a maximum 

 breadth, towards the head, of about half a mile. It is really 

 three diverticula of the river, separated by two narrow channels 

 formed, no doubt, by the side streams pouring alluvium into the 

 main valley from the north. Between Carrol and Kileain the 

 passage is now extremely narrow, and only 7 feet deep, so 



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