Fishing

Planning a fishing trip around Edinburgh with a hired small van is a great idea! Here’s how you can arrange van hire and explore some excellent fishing spots in and around the city.

🎣 Top Fishing Spots Near Edinburgh

🏞️ Stillwater & Reservoir Fishing

  • Clubbiedean Trout Fishery
    Located in the Pentland Hills, this fishery offers fly and bait fishing for rainbow, blue, tiger, and wild brown trout. Facilities include boat hire, tackle rental, and a canteen.
  • Harperrig Reservoir
    Situated about 19 km southwest of Edinburgh, Harperrig offers bank and boat fishing for brown trout. Fishing permits are available from Harperrig Fisheries Ltd.
  • Eliburn Reservoir
    A coarse fishing venue in Livingston, approximately 30 minutes from Edinburgh. Species include carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, and pike.

🌊 River Fishing

  • River Almond
    Flows through West Lothian into the Firth of Forth at Cramond. Offers fishing for brown trout and sea trout. Day and season tickets are available from Cramond Angling Club.
  • River Tweed
    Approximately an hour south of Edinburgh, the Tweed is renowned for salmon, sea trout, and grayling fishing. It’s one of Europe’s premier salmon rivers.
  • River Tay
    About an hour north of Edinburgh, the Tay offers opportunities to catch Atlantic salmon, brown trout, sea trout, grayling, and pike. Dunkeld is a popular base for fishing the Tay.

🌅 Sea Fishing

  • Dunbar Harbour
    Located an hour east of Edinburgh, Dunbar offers chartered sea fishing trips targeting species like pollock and cod. The area is known for its scenic coastline and productive fishing grounds.
  • Eyemouth
    A coastal town in Berwickshire, about 43 miles from Edinburgh, Eyemouth provides opportunities for sea fishing, including from the harbour and nearby beaches.

🗺️ Suggested Itinerary

Day 1:

  • Pick up your hired van in Edinburgh.
  • Head to Clubbiedean Trout Fishery for a day of trout fishing in the Pentland Hills.

Day 2:

  • Drive to Harperrig Reservoir for brown trout fishing.
  • Alternatively, explore Eliburn Reservoir for coarse fishing.

Day 3:

  • Venture to the River Tweed or River Tay for a river fishing experience targeting salmon and trout.

Day 4:

  • Travel to Dunbar Harbour or Eyemouth for a sea fishing adventure.

Remember to check local fishing regulations and obtain the necessary permits for each location. Enjoy your fishing trip around Edinburgh!