THE LOCHY 345 



while the creation of the obstruction now known as Mucomer 

 Fall prevented these fish leaving the pool. Fish, therefore, 

 accumulated in Mucomer Pool. 



In 1863 a statement was prepared on behalf of the late Mr. 

 Edward Ellice, and presented to the Commissioners of Salmon 

 Fisheries, whose powers and duties are now transferred to the 

 Fishery Board for Scotland. This statement was approved 

 and acquiesced in by the late Lochiel, and deals very largely 

 with the matter now under review the change in the fisheries 

 of the district owing to the creation of the obstacle at Mucomer. 

 The following extracts are of special interest : 



" Apparently at one period considerable value was attached 

 to the salmon fishing in Loch Lochy. The different stations 

 where it was prosecuted upon the shores of the loch are specially 

 named in all the old titles. But since the formation of the 

 Caledonian Canal the access of fish from the sea into the 

 loch has been prevented, and the salmon fishing entirely 

 destroyed. . . . 



" The improvement of the fishing generally, the chief object 

 of the late Act (1862), has also to be considered. The 

 tributaries of Loch Lochy suitable for spawning ground very 

 greatly exceed in extent all those of the river Lochy to which 

 salmon have access. If the Loch Lochy tributaries were again 

 made available by the admission of fish into the loch, a very 

 large increase of salmon in all the waters of the district would 

 be the certain result. . . . 



"It is submitted, therefore, that more than a merely 

 practicable access or stair is wanted at Mucomer. The 

 proprietor of the Lochy fishing (Mr. Ellice) considers that as 

 far as possible the same facilities for the passage of fish as 

 existed previously to the construction of the canal should be 

 restored. With this object the bottom of the artificial cut 

 should be so sloped down from a point considerably above the 

 Bridge of Mucomer as to present no greater obstruction than 

 any other rocky part of the river between Mucomer and the 

 sea. This can easily be done at no great cost, and since, but 

 for the exceptional circumstances before stated, the expense 

 must have been incurred when the canal was first made, the 

 Canal Commissioners may reasonably now be called upon to 

 render Loch Lochy at its present outlet, which is part of the 



