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Lochan nam Breac Buidhe
© Des Colhoun · CC

Lochan nam Breac Buidhe

Water managed by Durness and Kinlochbervie Angling Club

Type
Lake
Species
Brown trout
Moderate alkalinity
High alkalinity indicates water fertility and can signal the presence of larger trout. Fish in alkaline waters have a wider variety of invertebrates to feed on.
Shallow
The depth of a lake has significant impacts on its ecology. Reduced heat and light in deep lakes inhibit algal growth.
Low shoreline complexity
A lake with a high shoreline complexity will have numerous bays, points and peninsulas.
Low elevation
Lakes at a higher altitude can take longer to warm up during the season and may not fish well until summer.
Very small
Larger lakes with good spawning often contain lots of smaller trout. Smaller lakes with limited spawning can produce larger trout.

Lochan nam Breac Buidhe is a very small loch of just under 5 hectares, lying close to the northern coast of Sutherland, barely two kilometres from the sea. It sits in low ground near Cape Wrath, with a simple, rounded outline and a short fetch across its width. The water is of moderate alkalinity, suggesting reasonable fertility for its size, and the underlying metamorphic rock shapes a landscape of coastal moorland around it.

The lochan is generally fished alongside Loch Inshore, which lies roughly half a mile to the west, both waters sitting north of the Cape Wrath road. It is well suited to beginners and offers lively sport, holding good numbers of brown trout averaging around six to eight ounces.
The lochan and its approaches lie within the Cape Wrath Danger Area; access may be restricted during military exercises.

The route from the east follows open ground westward for around four kilometres, tracking across the moor in a broadly south-westerly direction before swinging north-west toward the lochan. The going is largely level through low coastal moorland, with no significant climbing involved.

Distance
6.29 km

Rules

Seasonal notices

Cape Wrath live firing range

  • This loch is within the Cape Wrath MOD live firing range. If red flags or lights are displayed, do not enter the danger area marked on the map, no matter what the published times say. Blanks and pyrotechnics may be used at any hour, so obey all signs.
  • Check Cape Wrath firing times (GOV.UK) before you go — these show when firing is permitted, not confirmed bookings, so treat only the times outside them as safe.
  • Range Control: 01971 511242 (8am–5pm) · Ops Room: 0131 310 3426 (24hr)
Fishery-wide rules
Fish limits & sizes
  • Catch and release encouraged; release all fish under 10 inches, unharmed.
  • No more than two fish taken per session.
Permitted methods

Fly fishing only on all waters

Seasonal notices

Ground-nesting birds

No fishing on lochs East of Loch Mór a' Chraisg until August

15 Mar – 31 Aug

Club rules
  • Report any breach to Andy Johnson, 07887 510305.
  • Only paid members or day-ticket holders may fish.
  • Members must contribute to work parties.
  • If you're out in a boat alone, come back for any member who signals they'd like to join you.
  • Members act as bailiffs; prevent fishing without permission.
  • Visitors must return a catch return for each loch fished.
  • Members submit catch return before 15 October.
  • No littering.
  • Under-16s only fish if accompanied by an adult.
  • Keys/access codes are club property, member use only.
  • Use indicated parking; close gates.
  • Dogs under control at all times.
Protected wildlife

Ground-nesting birds

North West Sutherland is an important breeding ground for many bird species, and it is a criminal offence to disturb nesting wild birds. Many nest on the ground close to the lochs — take care on the way to and from the water, and avoid disturbance while fishing.

15 Mar – 31 Aug

Safety warning

Cape Wrath live firing range

  • Cape Wrath is an active MOD live firing range. If red flags or lights are displayed, do not enter the danger area marked on the map, no matter what the published times say. Blanks and pyrotechnics may be used at any hour, so obey all signs.
  • Check Cape Wrath firing times (GOV.UK) before you go — these show when firing is permitted, not confirmed bookings, so treat only the times outside them as safe.
  • Range Control: 01971 511242 (8am–5pm) · Ops Room: 0131 310 3426 (24hr)

Season

Brown trout 15 Mar – 30 Sep
J F M A M J J A S O N D

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