CHAPTEK XVII. 



RIVER, BRORA. 



ANGLING SEASON : February llth to October 30th. 

 NETTING SEASON : February llth to August 26th. 



The whole river belongs to the Duke of Sutherland, and is let with shootings. 

 Factor, Donald M'Lean, Esq., Sutherland Estates Office, Golspie. 



THIS excellent little river flows parallel to, and not far south of, 

 the Helmsdale. It is, however, different in its general formation. 

 In the case of the Brora the junction of upper waters takes place 

 only about eleven 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, but from a 

 salmon fishing point of view the one leading tributary which forms 

 the other branch of the head waters the Blackwater is more im- 

 portant than the Brora above the junction. The Blackwater rises 

 from both the north and south sides of Ben Armine at an elevation 

 of close upon 2000 feet. It descends through a fine moorland glen, 

 and affords summer salmon fishing for 8 or 10 miles. Balnacoil and 

 Gordonbush 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 2J miles. 

 All the lodges belong to the Duke of Sutherland. 



Loch Brora is fully 3J 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 their alluvium into the main 



