CHAPTER XLIII 



THE APPLECROSS 



Rises in Corrie Attadale, on the west coast ol Ross-shire, and, 

 after a rapid run of some ten miles through grand scenery, falls 

 into the Inner Sound of Raasay at Applecross. At one time this 

 property formed a portion of the vast estate of the Macdonnells 

 of Glengarry, which, covering upwards of one hundred and fifty 

 thousand acres, was bought en bloc by the late Duke of Leeds, and 

 later on resold in three lots, the Applecross part being purchased by 

 Lord Middleton in 1861, who at present owns the whole of the 

 river, which, as it runs through the middle of his deer forest, is 

 only fished for about a mile above the mouth, in which distance 

 there are four good pools and some corners. It is strictly pre- 

 served, and is one of the very few of the West Coast rivers that has 

 not altered very much for the worse during the last forty years. 

 This is due to the fact that Lord Middleton neither works nor lets 

 any fixed nets on his foreshore, while he has a sharp look out kept 

 for poachers in Applecross Bay. Convictions have been obtained 

 on several occasions in face of great difficulties, for the poachers 

 always come in the dark, and a very large area has to be watched. 



The Applecross opens on the nth of February, closes foi 

 nets on the 26th of August, and for rod on the 31st of October. 

 It holds salmon, grilse, and sea trout, many of these latter being 

 of good weight, and going as high as 4 lb. The best months are 

 July, August, and September ; but sport depends entirely on the 

 time of the spates, and even when they come the river rises and 

 falls so rapidly that it can only be fished by those living on the spot. 

 Jock Scot, the silver bodies, and, indeed, any of the standard 

 patterns on small hooks, will kill ; while a rod of from fourteen to 

 sixteen feet will easily cover the water. 



'75 



