260 THE SALMON RIVERS OF SCOTLAND 



a grilse rod, provided there is sufficient water-flow, good spring fishing 

 may be secured in February and March. The right of fishing 

 goes with the Borgie shootings, but I understand a sub-let is at 

 times arranged. Unfortunately, if the water runs low through dry 

 weather and frost, the chances are not very good, for as a whole the 

 Borgie does not offer good holding for fish, and much of the channel 

 is boulder-strewn and rather shallow. 



A fair run of grilse generally occurs, and these lively fellows make 

 little of the fall when the river is in good running order. The 

 lower reaches also yield a good number of sea- trout. The salmon 

 are of similar weight to the Naver spring fish, 8-10 lb., and from 50 

 to 60 salmon and grilse are expected in the whole season. 



The lochs from which the river flows are Loch Loyal, about 4J 

 miles long, lying at the foot of Ben Loyal or Laoghal, an isolated and 

 well-marked hill, past which the main road from Altnaharra to 

 Tongue passes, and Loch Craggie or Creagach, and Loch Slaiui, 

 commonly called Slam. In Sutherland, owing to the long period 

 in which Englishmen have been sporting tenants, the corruption of 

 Gaelic place-names is, I think, more marked than anywhere else in 

 the Highlands. One hardly ever comes across a Scotsman who is a 

 tenant in Sutherland. Lochs Craggie and Slam are diminishing 

 continuations of Loch Loyal, and no doubt were at one time part of 

 it, before the erosion was so far advanced as it is now. The lochs 

 stand at the same level (369 feet) and are connected by narrow 

 channels. A few salmon are got in the two lower lochs, but very 

 seldom, indeed, is a salmon caught in Loch Loyal, although great 

 numbers pass through it to ascend in autumn the Loch Cuil-na-Sith 

 stream (corrupted into Coulside) which forms the head waters. If 

 this stream from its chief source, the three lochs and the Borgie be 

 taken together, the total water-way is 20 miles. 



Loch Slam is preserved along with the Borgie, but before the 

 1st of August it may be fished by visitors at Tongue Hotel. Loch 

 Craggie may be fished the whole season in this way. There are 

 three boats on it, and the brown trout run heavy. Loch Loyal is 

 also fished from Tongue, and at the same time visitors at Altnaharra 

 Hotel can fish it, and it is rather nearer the latter than the former. 

 A few years ago the Duke of Sutherland sold the land which 

 stretches from the east side of Loch Loyal and Loch Craggie (but not 

 including Loch Slam) towards the Eiver Naver. This track touches 

 the Naver from Langdale Burn down to the Carnachy Burn about a 

 mile below Khifail, but on the west bank. 



