Upper Blackhall

Upper Blackhall A prime salmon fishing beat on the River Dee in Scotland. The beat fishes 3 rods and has 15 named pools and it fishes equally well in low and high water.

Upper Blackhall is a prime salmon fishing beat situated 3 miles west of Banchory on the south bank of the Scottish Dee. The beat is productive and attractive, it has a beauty and tranquility. Surrounded by trees and forestry, it has a prolific abundance of wildlife and yet an absence of public roads make it perfect for peace and quiet. For further information please contact Simon or Venetia on [email protected].

This past week brought an unusually varied mix of conditions, with what felt like four seasons in the space of a few day...
03/05/2026

This past week brought an unusually varied mix of conditions, with what felt like four seasons in the space of a few days. Air temperatures exceeded 20°C earlier in the week before dropping to around 8°C towards the latter half. We also experienced a contrast in weather patterns, from clear blue skies on Tuesday and Wednesday to much heavier cloud cover as the week progressed. These rapidly changing conditions made angling somewhat challenging, both in terms of fishing performance and general time spent on the river.

Despite this, we were pleased to record our first fish since the beginning of April. Hans Edman landed a fine 9lb springer from Upper Ferroch at approximately 8pm on Friday evening. This serves as a timely reminder that it can be well worth extending efforts beyond the traditional 9–5 window. Many congratulations to Hans—an excellent fish—and best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Looking ahead, conditions for the coming week appear promising, albeit with cooler temperatures forecast. With stable water levels and improving clarity, there should be worthwhile opportunities for those keen to get out on the river.

Please do get in touch if you would like to arrange a cast.

Tight lines,
Angus

Apologies for the recent gap in reports. It has been an especially busy and demanding spell, though it’s reassuring to f...
23/03/2026

Apologies for the recent gap in reports. It has been an especially busy and demanding spell, though it’s reassuring to feel things beginning to ease and return to a more familiar rhythm. 🪴

The week commencing 16th March saw very little fishing effort, and the river felt unusually quiet for the time of year. That said, Saturday brought a moment to savour, with an angler who prefers to remain anonymous landing a beautiful 8lb salmon from the Big Girnal Pool—a welcome reminder of what lies beneath the surface, even in quieter times. 🎣

The stillness carried through much of the following week until Saturday, when Kevin Fleming—known to many as the former Ghillie at Altries and Lower Drum—landed a superb 12lb fish from the Green Spout. Sadly, a camera mishap means there’s no photograph to share, but it was a fish well worthy of one and a catch to be proud of. My congratulations to Kevin. 👏

The lull in activity has at least allowed time to tend to the river itself. Much of the week has been spent clearing fallen trees and branches in the wake of the recent high winds—steady, satisfying work, and with a fair stack of firewood as a bonus.

There are, too, those small but unmistakable signs that the season is beginning to turn. Toads have been on the move—I was pleased to help one safely across the road—and the first daffodils are now pushing through, bringing a touch of colour and a sense of renewal along the banks.

We still have availability for spring fishing, and with the season slowly awakening, there is every reason for quiet optimism. Please contact the estate or visit FishPal to arrange your days.

Tight lines,
Angus 🥃🎣

This week we had the genuine pleasure of welcoming members of the Aberdeen and District Angling Association (ADAA) to Ab...
01/03/2026

This week we had the genuine pleasure of welcoming members of the Aberdeen and District Angling Association (ADAA) to Aberdeen and District Angling Association here at Upper Blackhall.🎣🎣

The ADAA exists for a simple but powerful reason: to make quality fishing accessible. At a fair and reasonable cost, they open doors that might otherwise remain closed — giving local anglers, who may never have the opportunity to fish private salmon beats, the chance to test themselves against the river in a truly special setting. Their members fish hard, fish well, and above all, fish with heart.

And this week, that commitment was rewarded.

Congratulations to ADAA member Matthew Reilly on landing a magnificent 8lb bar of silver from our Scobboch Pool. A fish all the more meaningful given the pool’s history. Since the devastating floods of Storm Frank reshaped so much of the river in 2015, Scobboch has never quite been the same — often overlooked, rarely spoken of in recent years. To see a fish come from that water again is more than just a catch; it feels like a quiet promise. Perhaps this is the start of the pool coming back into its own once more.

We thought we were building momentum with a fish on Monday, but the river had other ideas. Unseasonably warm conditions brought heavy snow melt, pushing levels to over four feet and changing everything overnight. It largely stalled our progress, though there were whispers midweek of plucks and pulls — those electrifying moments that keep hope alive and lines in the water.

Looking ahead, conditions are shaping up beautifully for next week, and we still have some prime spring availability remaining. The fish are here. The river is settling. Opportunity is waiting.

If you’ve been thinking about it — this is your moment. Come and join us at Upper Blackhall.

Tight lines,
Angus 🎣🥃

Week Commencing 16th FebruaryThe week began in proper winter fashion — cold mornings, frost on the banks, and a river th...
22/02/2026

Week Commencing 16th February

The week began in proper winter fashion — cold mornings, frost on the banks, and a river that felt quiet and unhurried. ❄️ By the time I sit down to write this, however, we’re enjoying a comparatively mild 12°C. With snowmelt pushing through, water levels have risen and conditions have shifted noticeably over the course of just a few days. 🌤️🌊

It was another fairly quiet week overall, with the river keeping its counsel for much of it. Then, on Friday, things changed.

John Fraser landed a fine fresh 12lb salmon from the Big Girnal pool, followed shortly after by another of 8lb — a brace of quality fish and a rewarding end to the week. 🎣✨

Big Girnal is a classic “running fish” pool. Salmon seldom linger there for long, instead pausing briefly as they continue their upstream journey. 🐟 When fish are moving through like that, a take can often signal more than one opportunity. John’s success was a timely reminder that when you connect with a fish in such conditions, it pays to stay focused in and around that water — there’s every chance another may follow.

The river now sits higher than last week due to the ongoing snowmelt, bringing a touch more pace and colour as we head into the coming days. 🌊

This week we welcome anglers from The Aberdeen and District Angling Association who have secured rods here at Upper Blackhall. We wish them the very best — with the recent lift in water, conditions may well prove favourable. 🤝🎣

There are still opportunities to fish with us this spring, with availability remaining in March and April. If you’re considering a visit, now is a good time to plan — you never know what the river might produce. 🌿

Until then, tight lines. 🎣
Angus

A quieter week on the river at Upper Blackhall — though not for lack of effort or optimism. 🎣A handful of last season’s ...
16/02/2026

A quieter week on the river at Upper Blackhall — though not for lack of effort or optimism. 🎣

A handful of last season’s fish were brought to hand, each one delivering that fleeting, heart-racing moment that reminds us why we return to the water time and time again. Even a brief connection with a salmon carries the promise of what’s to come. ✨

After what feels like an unbroken stretch of grey, last week also brought a welcome return of sunlight — perhaps the first true glimpse of it in 2026. ☀️ The lift in both river and spirit was unmistakable, and it was a pleasure simply to be outside, casting under brighter skies. 🌿

With full rods this week and next, anticipation is building, and we look forward to seeing more fish moving through the beat in the days ahead. 📈

There remains limited spring availability at attractive rates, and we would be delighted to welcome you to Upper Blackhall for a day or two on the water.

Tight lines,
Angus 🎣

Opening Week on the River Dee 🎣It was opening week for us on the River Dee, and we were fortunate to welcome Pete Scarro...
08/02/2026

Opening Week on the River Dee 🎣

It was opening week for us on the River Dee, and we were fortunate to welcome Pete Scarrott’s party fishing at Upper Blackhall and staying at The Stables 🏡.

On Tuesday, Andrew Sowerby got both our beat — and indeed the whole river — off the mark with a lovely 8lb spring salmon from our Corner Pool 🐟. As the first fish of the season on the River Dee, Andrew was awarded a voucher from in Aberdeen and a bottle of whisky from the 🥃.

Not wanting to be outdone, Nick Craigs also landed a fish from the Corner Pool later the same day — but this one was on another level. A beautiful multi-sea-winter spring salmon estimated at 15–16lbs, and a truly memorable capture. Well done, Nick 👏🐟.

That was all the excitement on the fishing front until Saturday, when Nick’s wife, Sarah Iveson, landed a stunning sea-liced fish of around 8lbs, once again from our ever-reliable Corner Pool 🎯.

If you’d like to try your hand at a springer this season, why not consider booking with us at Upper Blackhall? Our rates offer excellent value for quality Dee fishing, and you never know — it could be the fish of a lifetime 🌊.

Tight lines,
Angus 🎣🥃

What a sensational start to the season! Just like London buses, they arrive together — and we’re thrilled to announce th...
03/02/2026

What a sensational start to the season! Just like London buses, they arrive together — and we’re thrilled to announce that the first two spring salmon on the entire river have both been landed at Upper Blackhall.

Kicking things off in style was a stunning, sea-liced springer caught by Andrew Sowerby at around 10:30am from the Corner Pool.

And then — as if scripted — Nick Craigs raised the bar even higher, landing a magnificent multi-sea-winter fish from the very same pool, expertly taken on a Cravat Fly.

Two exceptional fish. One iconic pool. A truly memorable opening chapter to the spring.

Huge congratulations to the team, and tight lines to everyone fishing Upper Blackhall for the rest of the week.

We still have spring rods available at very competitive rates for the current conditions.
�Please message us directly or book via FishPal to secure your fishing.

Tight lines,�The Upper Blackhall Team 🎣🥃

What a sensational start to the season! Just like London buses, they arrive together — and we’re thrilled to announce th...
03/02/2026

What a sensational start to the season! Just like London buses, they arrive together — and we’re thrilled to announce that the first two spring salmon on the entire river have both been landed at Upper Blackhall.

Kicking things off in style was a stunning, sea-liced springer caught by Andrew Sowerby at around 10:30am from the Corner Pool.

And then — as if scripted — Nick Craigs raised the bar even higher, landing a magnificent multi-sea-winter fish from the very same pool, expertly taken on a Cravat Fly.

Two exceptional fish. One iconic pool. A truly memorable opening chapter to the spring.

Huge congratulations to the team, and tight lines to everyone fishing Upper Blackhall for the rest of the week.

We still have spring rods available at very competitive rates for the current conditions.

Please message us directly or book via FishPal to secure your fishing.

Tight lines,
The Upper Blackhall Team 🎣🥃

✨ Behind the scenes at Upper Blackhall ✨While the photos tell stories of peaceful mornings, glowing fires and those insa...
02/11/2025

✨ Behind the scenes at Upper Blackhall ✨
While the photos tell stories of peaceful mornings, glowing fires and those insane breakfasts our guests love… what they don’t show are the two incredible women who make the magic happen.

Jenny and Joan are the quiet powerhouse duo who bring warmth, care and soul to every stay at the Stables.

Jenny is the heart that keeps everything running effortlessly — from super professional cleans and insane breakfasts to beautifully packed picnic lunches and a calm smile that makes everyone feel instantly at home. She is the definition of a legend.

And then there’s Joan — our cook extraordinaire. Her food is comfort, creativity and love served on a plate. Together, they fill Upper Blackhall not just with the smell of freshly baked bread and woodsmoke… but with kindness and laughter.

Every guest may come for the setting, but they leave talking about these two remarkable women.

So here’s to Jenny and Joan — the hidden gems who make Upper Blackhall feel like home. 💛🥂

And so, the river falls silent once more 🎣🥃 
Today, the last salmon of our 2025 season was caught by Mr. Angus Rutherfor...
15/10/2025

And so, the river falls silent once more 🎣🥃

Today, the last salmon of our 2025 season was caught by Mr. Angus Rutherford — a silver thread closing the final page of a long, hard chapter.

It’s been a season that tested every ounce of patience and faith we had. The skies refused to play fair, the river kept skinny and fell without mercy, and more than once, we wondered if the salmon would ever return. But still we cast. Still we hoped. Still we believed.

Because that’s what this river teaches us — perseverance, humility, and love for something far greater than ourselves.

To every angler who stayed with us, who braved the elements, who fished through the quiet days and shared in the rare, electric moments of success — thank you!! 🫶 You are the heart of Upper Blackhall. Without you, there is no river story worth telling.

As the season closes and the banks grow quiet, we look ahead to 2026 — to new water, new hope, and the timeless pull of the Dee.

Tight lines until we meet again,
The Upper Blackhall Team

Address

The Stables, Blackhall
Banchory
AB316PS

Telephone

07919920508

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Upper Blackhall posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Upper Blackhall:

Shortcuts

Share

Category