About Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries
Under the guidance of the Board and Trustees, the operational team cover an area consisting of 70 miles of principle rivers and 400 miles of tributaries. We fulfill our statutory responsibilities and our charitable objectives as set out in our governing documents by:
- Gathering scientific data to be used as a benchmark for strategic management of the Kyle of Sutherland habitat
- Securing and providing sustainable finance to support projects and initiatives by encouraging membership, partnership and private donation
- Distributing information and advice to those involved with managing, living within and using the fisheries and catchment area
- Working closely with rivers workers, managers, anglers, government agencies and others
- Inspiring the local community with educational initiatives featuring the diverse habitats and species within the Kyle of Sutherland district.
Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board
The Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board (KoSDSFB) was established under the 1860s Salmon Fishery legislation and has powers and statutory responsibilities under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003.
The Board is empowered under the legislation to take such acts as it considers expedient for the protection, enhancement and conservation of Atlantic salmon and sea trout stocks.
Aims & Purposes
The Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board has a duty to ensure the general protection and enhancement of the fishery through means such as:
- Providing fishery protection.
- Policing the purchase and sale of illegally caught and unseasonable fish.
- Ensuring the fish have free passage over obstructions to migration.
- Protecting juvenile fish and spawning redds.
The Board will endeavour to:
- Reverse the national trend in the decline of Atlantic salmon by implementing programs that safeguard and enhance the natural spawning stock throughout the Kyle region.
- Conduct habitat, population and migration assessments to guide management strategies.
- Encourage good conservation policies to prevent over exploitation of salmon by rod and net fisheries.
- Extend awareness by promoting the importance of responsible angling through education and the regular exchange of information within schools, the community and government.
- Raise the profile of the economic, cultural and environmental benefits of the five Kyle Rivers to the local community.
Structure & Members
The Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board members are:
Chairman is Ashe Windham, with fellow members being Richard Sankey, Robbie Douglas Miller, Alex Hunter, John Green, Nicky Griffiths, Gary Gruber and William Paterson.
Complaints Procedure
Any complaint should be addressed to the Director of the Board.
Complaints can be made by:
Telephone: 01863 766 702
Email: info@kylefisheries.org
By letter: Bank House, Ardgay, Sutherland, IV24 3BG.
A two-stage complaints procedure is in place. At each stage it will help us to resolve your complaint quickly if you can give us as much clear detail as possible along with any relevant documents and correspondence. Please state that you are making a complaint in line with our procedure and include what resolution you are hoping to achieve.
Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust
The Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust was established in 2003, is a registered company SC207989 and a registered Scottish Charity SC030207. The Trust acts in the pursuance of its charitable objectives which include the protection of fish and their habitats in the Kyle district.
The Trust changed its name from Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust to Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust in 2024 to better reflect the work we do. The Trust contributes to the management of 112 km of principal rivers – Carron, Oykel, Cassley, Shin and Elevlix – as well as 643 km of tributary rivers draining some 163,647 ha of land.
The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of people drawn from a wide section of interests.
Trustees:- The Chairman is Ashe Windham and fellow Trustees are Finlay McCulloch, Ron Boothroyd, Brian Reid and Clovis Fletcher. Director is Dr Keith Williams.
Aims & Purposes
The purpose of the Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust is to support conservation and research initiatives and to advance public education. This will benefit the freshwater fish populations, associated habitat of the region and help to preserve for future generations this valuable part of Sutherland’s natural heritage.
The Trust works within a framework of a Fisheries Management Plan which reflects local management priorities and is prepared as part of a national programme of plans facilitated with support from Marine Directorate and Fishery and Rivers Trusts across Scotland. This approach links national, regional and local priorities for all-species of fishery, fish and riparian zone management across Scotland. Additionally, the Trust has developed a bio-security plan to prevent the spread of invasive non-native species to protect key areas and manage target species.
Consultancy
The Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust is a registered company SC207989 and a registered Scottish Charity SC030207. The income raised through our consultancy services is used to further the protection and enhancement of the Kyle systems and the fish populations that they support.
The Kyle of Sutherland Rivers Trust can offer a number of services within our area. Primarily this includes;
• Fisheries and Ecological Assessments
• Juvenile Salmonid electrofishing surveys
• Lamprey Surveys
• Pearl Mussel Surveys
• Invasive Species (Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Japanese knotweed) surveys
• Habitat assessments
If you require a service not listed, please contact us to discuss further. If we are unable to help, we will likely be able to recommend someone who can.
