THE ULLAPOOL 281 



out than the rod. Salmon fishing is a sort of attractive extra suit- 

 able for " off days." 



ULLAPOOL RIVER. 



This little river, which flows from the Forest of Ehidorroch, has 

 its source at a very high altitude at the extreme head of Glen 

 Douchary. In its course of nearly 15 miles it receives three names. 

 Down the glen mentioned, it flows in a northerly direction to within 

 a short distance of Loch-na-Daiuih from which the Einig flows to 

 the Oykell and so to the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar Bridge. In 

 this section it is called the Douchary. At the point mentioned it 

 turns sharp to the left and descends Glen Achallt, where it is 

 called the Ehidorroch Eiver. The lodge of the same name stands 

 upon the left bank. It then passes into Loch Achallt, a sheet of 

 water about a mile and three-quarters in length, and from the foot 

 of the loch, continuing its flow westward, it forms the Ullapool 

 Eiver, and enters Loch Broom just west of the village or town of 

 Ullapool. 



As a salmon angling stream it may practically be disregarded 

 above Loch Achallt, for it is only late in the season that fish ascend 

 the Ehidorroch, the natural spawning ground. In general character, 

 the Ullapool is a rocky river. In the 2j miles between Loch 

 Achallt and the sea it descends 265 feet, and is often cut pretty 

 deeply through the limestone rocks which occur here. Lower down 

 it is more boulder-strewn and gravelly, but about two-thirds of the 

 way up, at Ness, there are one or two little falls about 4 feet high, 

 which are sufficient to stop fish in low water. Below the falls some 

 deep rocky pools occur, where in summer I have known about 30 

 salmon which had been " potted " there for some time resist all the 

 angler's endeavours. 



The river belongs to the Countess of Cromarty, but the fishing is 

 commonly let, convenient accommodation being found in Ullapool. 

 A great deal depends on the amount of water-flow and the climatic 

 conditions in the early part of the season, but after open winters 

 salmon enter the river in March and April. In this western part 

 of Eoss and Cromarty the winters are usually mild. From the 

 middle of April to the end of May may be regarded as the best 

 time for salmon. In June and July the grilse ascend. 



The Ullapool river, though small, has a good reputation, although 

 I fear, like other small west coast rivers, its glory has somewhat 

 declined. Eecords of 10 to 12 fish to one rod in a day have, I 



