Upper Oykel Fishings - Bell Ingram

Upper Oykel Fishings
Oykel Bridge, Sutherland

Inverness: 58 miles Lochinver: 28 miles
Ullapool: 26 miles Lairg: 17 miles
Solicitors:
Gillespie Macandrew
5 Atholl Crescent
Edinburgh
EH3 8EJ
Tel: 0131 225 1677
Fax: 0131 225 4519
Upper Oykel Fishings
Oykel Bridge, Sutherland
A rare opportunity to acquire salmon fishings on one of Scotland’s premier salmon rivers
extending to 6 miles of double bank fishing with 58 named pools.
5 year average catch 247 salmon
For sale as a whole or in four lots
Selling Agents:
Bell Ingram
Estate Office, Bonar Bridge
Sutherland IV24 3EA
Tel: 01863 766 683
Fax: 01863 766 736
www.bellingram.co.uk

Upper Oykel Fishings
Situation
The Upper Oykel Fishings are situated in Strath Oykel to the west of Oykel Bridge amidst the
majestic scenery of central Sutherland. The river provides varied and productive fishings in
almost any conditions with deep holding pools on each beat. There is good access by a
stone track following the north (left) bank of the river from the public road at Oykel Bridge to
all beats with further vehicular access to the right bank of beats 3 and 4. The fishings have
traditionally been let with accommodation at the Oykel Bridge Hotel. There are however a
number of hotels, guest houses and let cottages within easy driving distance of the river.
There is a local shop/post office in Rosehall (9 miles) with more extensive local services in
Lairg (17 miles) and Ullapool (26 miles). Inverness can be reached in around 1½ hours by car
and provides all the services of a major regional centre. Inverness airport has regular flights
to destinations throughout the UK and Europe.
The Upper Oykel
The Upper Oykel was formerly part of the substantial Ross Estates owned by the Ross family
of Balnagown. It was purchased as part of the adjacent Benmore Estate by the Misses
Godman in 1961 and has remained in the family ownership since then. The Oykel has long
Donald’s Pool Broad Pool
been recognised as one of the finest salmon rivers in the Highlands and is the most prolific of
the four renowned salmon rivers which flow into the Kyle of Sutherland. It is some 14 miles
in length and rises in the basin formed by the Ben More Assynt range of hills to the west,
with Loch Ailsh at the head of the fishing water. The river has regularly received favourable
comments by well known authors on salmon fishings such as Augustus Grimble at the turn
of the century and subsequently by many other authors including John Ashley Cooper where
the Oykel merits a chapter in ‘A Salmon Fishers Odyssey’. Grimble observed that ‘fly is the
only lure permitted on the Oykel ’ and this is still the case.
The Upper Oykel fishings begin at the confluence with the Allt Eileag burn downstream to the
Oykel Falls upstream from the Oykel bridge. The Upper Oykel extends to around six miles of
double bank fishing and includes ownership of the river solum and the river bank thereby
protecting the riparian rights of brown trout fishing. The Upper Oykel has traditionally been
fished in four rotating beats with a three rod limit per beat. The river is advantaged by
having no Hydro Electric schemes in its headwaters.

The Loop
The season opens on the 11th January and runs until 30th September. Fish normally ascend
the Oykel Falls into the Upper Oykel beats around mid May when the water temperature
reaches 50° F. From May onwards the majority of fish entering the Oykel system ascend the
Upper Oykel. An average of 247 salmon have been caught annually on the four beats over
the past five years with around 30 sea trout caught each season.
Lot 1 Salachy Beat (Beat 1)
A most private and picturesque beat at the top of the fishings. The Salachy beat runs from
the point at which the Allt Eileag burn joins the river on the right bank downstream to below
Patrick’s Pool a distance of approximately ¾ mile. The beat which has 15 named pools
provides varied and sporting fishing from pools and runs with good access from either bank
depending on water conditions. The Upper Oykel access track has been extended as far as
the Salachy Bridge Pool where there is a small timber fishing hut, parking area and
pedestrian bridge to the right bank. The upper part of the beat above the Salachy bridge is
accessed by foot a distance of about ½ mile.
Lot 2 Allt Rugaidh Beat (Beat 2)
01863 766 683
bonarbridge@bellingram.co.uk
The Allt Rugaidh Beat extends to about 1¾ miles of double bank fishing downstream from
the Black Turn to the Craggie Burn. The whole beat is easily accessed from the Upper Oykel
access track with a small fishing hut located adjacent to the Upper Allt Rugaidh Pool. The
beat passes over striated bedrock in a series of falls and pools providing one of the most
attractive beats on the river. A pedestrian bridge crosses the river above the Raven Pool
providing access to the right bank. The beat has 12 named pools.
Lot 3 Camus Beat (Beat 3)
From Craggie the river begins to mature widening into some first class pools and runs, the Long
Pool, Camus and the Broad Pool in particular. The beat also includes a substantial area of
ground between the river and the Upper Oykel access track ensuring protection of the river
amenity and providing some informal sporting with red deer regularly seen on the ground. The
beat extends to 1¾ miles from the Craggie Burn to the Caplich Bridge. A short track from the
Upper Oykel access road leads down to a fishing hut on the left bank just below the Loop. A
further shared right of access is included to the right bank from the A837 public road at the
lower end of the beat over the Loubcroy Farm track, marked A-B on the plan.

Lot 4 Loubcroy Beat (Beat 4)
The Loubcroy Beat is the longest beat of the Upper Oykel fishings extending to 2½ miles of
double bank fishing from the Caplich Bridge to the Oykel Falls with 19 named pools. In
addition to the access track serving the left bank there are also two vehicular access points
to the opposite bank from the A837 public road at the Quarry Run and by the Loubcroy Farm
track to the Caplich Pool. Adjacent to Caplich Cottage there is also a small timber fishing hut
and a pedestrian bridge . A ruined stone bothy which would convert to an attractive fishing
The Quarry Pool
hut is situated on the right bank overlooking the Gorge Pool. Beat 4 also includes the solum
of the Chonachair Burn together with the land between the burn and the policies of Loubcroy
Lodge on the right bank and a 20 metre strip on the left bank upstream to where the burn
passes below the public road. The Chonachair is an important spawning burn providing high
quality spawning and juvenile habitat over its lower reaches.

Access and Land
The Upper Oykel access track runs the full length of the fishings offering good vehicular
access to the north (left) bank of all beats from the public road at Oykel Bridge to the Salachy
Bridge. Ownership of the solum of the track will pass to the purchaser of Beat 1 with the
purchasers of Beats 2, 3 and 4 being granted a right of access as far as the upstream limit of
their respective beats. A right of access in favour of all beats will be granted between points
E and F on the plan. Ownership of the land between the track and the river will pass to the
purchaser of each beat with the exception of the Forestry Commission land on the left bank
at the lower end of the Loubcroy Beat (Beat 4). The Loubcroy Beat will also include a shared
right of vehicular and pedestrian access over the track from the public road to the Quarry
Run marked C-D on the plan and from the public road to the Caplich Bridge and fishing hut
marked A-B on the plan. Maintenance of all access tracks will be according to user. Where
those parts of Beats 3 and 4 bound Loubcroy Farm a 20 metre river bank strip on the right
bank will be retained with the fishings.
Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board
The Upper Oykel Fishings fall within the jurisdiction of the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon
Fishery Board. The Board employs a full time Superintendent and two full time bailiffs. In
addition seasonal bailiffs are employed during the fishing season. The District Fishery Board
encourage the return of all fish over 65 cm in length (approximately 7lbs) and the use of
single or double hooks only.
Record of Catches by Beats
Year Beat 1 Beat 2 Beat 3 Beat 4 Total
2000 44 55 82 48 229
2001 52 71 76 84 283
2002 21 18 25 41 105
2003 21 33 31 45 130
2004 36 61 94 101 292
2005 32 46 61 67 206
2006 46 40 60 68 214
2007 92 86 83 92 353
2008 52 57 62 84 255
2009 40 55 43 70 208
10 Year Average 43 52 62 70 227
5 Year Average 52 57 62 76 247
Caplich Bridge
Ruined bothy overlooking the Gorge Pool
01863 766 683
bonarbridge@bellingram.co.uk

General Remarks and Information
Directions
From Inverness take the A9 and B9176 north to Bonar Bridge. After crossing the bridge turn
immediately left (west) through the village, after about 5 miles turn left onto the A846 signed
to Lochinver. After about 14 miles you will reach the Oykel Bridge and Hotel. The Upper
Oykel fishings start at the Oykel Falls a short distance upstream from the bridge. Continue
west on the A837 past the Hotel towards Lochinver for about two miles crossing the
Chonachair bridge at Loubcroy, the Upper Oykel Strath and the river are seen to the north as
the road climbs towards Loch Craggie and the west.
Entry & Possession
The fishings are fully let for the 2010 season. Entry will be by arrangement following the end
of the current season on 30th September.
Offers
Offers in Scottish Legal Form should be submitted to the selling agents. A closing date for
offers may be fixed and prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest with the
selling agents following inspection.
Minerals
In so far as they are owned the mineral rights are included in the sale.
Rates and Fishery Board Assessment
Whilst no rates are payable for the fishings, the rateable value of the Upper Oykel for the
purpose of calculating the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board assessment is
currently £8,750. The Fishery Board assessment covering the four beats for 2009/10 was
based on £1.10 per £RV amounting to £9,625. The assessment will be apportioned and
allocated between the four beats at entry.
Stipulations
Purchase Price
Within seven days of the conclusion of missives a non-returnable deposit of 10% of the
purchase price shall be paid.
The balance of the purchase price will fall due for payment at the date of entry (whether entry
is taken or not) with interest accruing thereon at the rate of 5% above the Bank of Scotland
base rate. No consignation shall be effectual in avoiding such interest.
Disputes
Should any discrepancy arise as to the boundaries or any points arise on the Remarks,
Stipulations or Plan or the interpretation of any of them, the question shall be referred to the
arbitration of the selling agents whose decision acting as experts shall be final.
Plans, Areas and Schedules
These are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for reference only. They have been
carefully checked and computed by the selling agents and the purchaser shall be deemed to
have satisfied himself as to the description of the subjects and any error or mis-statement
shall not annul the sale nor entitle either party to compensation in respect thereof.
Overseas Purchasers
Any offer by a purchaser who is resident outwith the United Kingdom must be accompanied
by a guarantee from a banker who is acceptable to the sellers.
Lotting
It is intended to offer the fishings for sale as a whole or in four lots, the seller reserves the
right to withdraw the whole or any part of the property shown in these particulars.
Generally
Should there be any discrepancy between these particulars, the General Remarks,
Information and Stipulations and the Missives of Sale, the latter shall prevail.
Servitude Rights, Burdens and Wayleaves
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights of access and rights
of way, whether public or private. The purchasers will be held to have satisfied themselves
as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.
Apportionments
The Fishery Board Assessment and all other outgoings shall be apportioned between the
sellers and the purchaser(s) as at the date of entry.
Viewing
Strictly by appointment with Bell Ingram, the selling agents.
Important Notice
Bell Ingram and their clients give notice that :
1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to
the subjects of sale either here or elsewhere. These particulars do not form part of any offer
or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact unless the
same is incorporated within a written document signed by the sellers or on their behalf
satisfying the requirements of Section 3 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995
or is granted in pursuance of any such document.
2 Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans
are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that
the property has all the necessary planning, building regulation or other consents or that any
equipment or facilities have been tested. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection
or otherwise.
01863 766 683
bonarbridge@bellingram.co.uk

Upper Oykel Fishings

Estate Office, Bonar Bridge, Sutherland IV24 3EA
Telephone: 01863 766 683 Fax: 01863 766 736
www.bellingram.co.uk bonarbridge@bellingram.co.uk