CHAPTER VII 



THE DUNBEATH 



This small Caithness stream, which is wholly the property of Mr. 

 W. S. Thomson-Sinclair of Freswick, drains but twenty-three square 

 miles of country, and from its source in the Dunbeath hill has but a 

 twelve-mile run before it falls into the sea at Dunbeath, some six 

 miles north of the Berriedale. The season is from the nth of Feb- 

 ruary to the 15th of October, nets coming off on the 26th of August. 

 The best time for spring fish is from the middle of March to the 

 middle of April, and these average about 12 lb. It is, however, 

 better for grilse and sea trout than salmon, July and August being 

 the best months, and the average take is about fifty salmon and grilse. 

 There are bag-nets on either side of the mouth, the right belonging 

 to Mr. Thomson-Sinclair, and let to a tacksman. No wading is 

 wanted — a small rod and small flies of the standard pattern are all 

 that is necessary. 



