Salmon Fisheries in Skye and Raasay

Commercial wild salmon fishing was carried out along the coast of the Isle of Skye for many years. In its heyday it provided gainful employment for about 28 men each year with jobs being offered to the same men each season before new workers were hired. Along the coast there were fishing stations at Lealt, Rigg, Staffin, Portree, Camustianavaig, Balmeanach and Brochel Castle on Raasay.

The season began late April or early May and ran through to the end of August. They caught salmon swimming along the coastline using nets. The salmon would encounter the leader net, set at right angles to the shoreline, and swim along to the opening to the bag and be caught.

The total annual catch was approximately 3000 fish in the late 1940s and early 1950s. A record high of nearly 10,000 fish were caught in 1957. The catch was divided into salmon, grilse and trout, with grilse numbers being the highest. The total annual catch was approximately 3000 fish in the late 1940s and early 1950s. A record high of nearly 10,000 fish were caught in 1957. In common with much of the west Highlands, stocks declined dramatically through the 1980s and 1990s.

More information on visiting the area can be found here.