Scotland’s River Tay’s traditional opening ceremony took place on 15 January. TV presenter Paul Murton made the first cast of the season.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - January 27th, 2025 - The darkest days of winter are over for anglers as the first of Scotland’s major rivers has reopened. The River Tay opening ceremony took place on 15 January and already the 2025 salmon season is in full swim. The traditional ceremony involves bagpipes and a river blessing with whisky hurled from a silver ‘quaich’ – a Scottish shallow drinking bowl. TV presenter Paul Murton, best known for his series Grand Tours of Scotland, made the first cast of the year.

Many anglers turned out to see the fully booked event. Alisdair (Ali) Ker, FishPal’s Head of Scotland and N England, was also there to announce that last season’s donations, made by anglers booking River Tay permits through FishPal, raised £4,057 for charity. The money will be donated to organisations supporting young anglers. FishPal is an innovative service that enables anglers to book fly fishing permits and accommodation online.

Angling expert Will Draper, Head of FishPal, says: ‘The Tay’s opening ceremony location, near Meikleour House in Perthshire, has been a highly popular beat for anglers for many generations. Using FishPal, it’s now very easy for anyone in the UK and beyond to book a permit online for Meikleour and Upper Islamouth. Anglers can even book accommodation at the same time if required.

‘The Tay may be the first of Scotland’s great main rivers to open this year but it will be swiftly followed by the River Tweed and the River Dee. Both of these have their opening ceremonies on 1 February. Needless to say, after our enforced winter rest, FishPal will be there for both events.

‘The Duchess of Roxburghe will officially open the River Tweed at Kelso Town Hall, followed by a ceremonial walk to the river. Anglers can book permits and accommodation for the Tweed now, in advance of the start of the season, with rod permits available from just £12 a day on some beats.

‘The third of Scotland’s major rivers to open is the Dee, also on 1 February. Last year, hundreds of people gathered on the banks of the River Dee at the Milton of Crathes for its opening ceremony. The Crathes Castle beat offers stunning scenery and the chance to catch large multi-winter salmon as they enter the river in the spring. Permits are available now for fishing from 3 February in this delightful location.

‘For anyone wanting to see these traditional river openings, FishPal’s video of this year’s River Tay ceremony is now available to watch free on YouTube and catches the (distinctly whisky-tinged) flavour of the events. For more information on booking permits and accommodation across all of Scotland’s great fishing rivers in 2025, see https://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/

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