Stillwater · Granite · Outer Hebrides / Harris

Harris Hill Lochs

Harris Hill Lochs terrain map
Terrain map

The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.

Fair · Trout
Claret Dabbler · 10-12
Fairlive now
Difficult drift conditions on Harris Hill Lochs — sheltered areas may rescue the day
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
52% confidence

This venue is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindN 9 km/hLight breeze
Today’s fly
Claret Dabbler
Claret Dabbler10-12
High-confidence seasonal pick
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Light breeze
N 9 km/h
N
N
from the north
WaveRipple
Water temp—
Air temp11°C
CloudBroken
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for trout
When
May-September; peak June-August
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Claret Dabbler on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Claret Dabbler on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Permission from relevant Harris estate
  • Some waters available through Rodel Hotel, Amhuinnsuidhe Castle estate, or local clubs
  • FishHebrides for guidance.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
79%
Cloud70%
Wind100%
Temp60%

A good match for this venue — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.

Other water nearby · 1
Loch Voshimid
3.0 km
Brown trout
About this water

The mountainous interior of Harris holds dozens of remote hill lochs in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. These are granite-basin waters — slightly acidic, moderately peaty, set among the bare rock and heather of the Harris hills. The trout are wild and numerous if not large, typically six to twelve ounces, with occasional fish to a pound and a half. Access requires walking — some lochs are an hour or more from the road — and the rewards are solitude, scenery, and sport in equal measure. The fishing is simple: a team of traditional wet flies drifted on the wind, with the occasional dry fly opportunity when fish rise in the shallows. Harris also holds some low-lying lochs closer to the road that offer easier access.

  • Loch
  • Granite
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
  • Lake Olive is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout15 March → 6 October
Related guides
Scotland Playbookloch & river fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts