Plan the ultimate fishing holiday in Scotland
Are you an angler looking for prime waters for a fishing holiday in Scotland? Look no further than Caithness, where the season kicks off on 11th January for salmon and in March for trout. If you are planning a fishing trip, the Ulbster Arms Hotel is your ideal base. Our hotel sits on the riverbank in Halkirk, near Thurso, and has hosted anglers for over 150 years. Fishing holidays are what we do best!
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Whether you are planning a short fishing break in Scotland or a longer trip, Caithness delivers a rare combination. High-quality fishing, peaceful surroundings and genuine Highland hospitality. So, if you want a holiday with fishing on site, rather than a hotel that happens to be near water, the Ulbster Arms Hotel is the perfect base.
See Our RoomsWhy Caithness & Thurso rank among the best fishing destinations in Scotland
Caithness is widely regarded as one of the top destinations for fishing breaks in Scotland, yet it remains far less crowded than the famous southern rivers. That quietness is the point: well-managed beats, straightforward permits and water to yourself.
The variety is remarkable for one county. Caithness is known for its:
- Reliable Atlantic salmon fishing
- Excellent brown trout fishing in remote Highland lochs
- Fantastic Sea fishing off the NC500
- Well-managed beats
- Stunning Highland landscapes
For anglers looking for a high-quality UK fishing holiday, Caithness offers both performance and experience. And for purists, fly fishing holidays in Scotland rarely come better managed. The salmon water here is fly-only, and our ghillies live and breathe it. So Caithness is ideal for fly fishing breaks at any level, and the Ulbster Arms Hotel is the perfect accommodation.
Salmon fishing on one of Scotland’s finest rivers
The River Thurso on our doorstep is one of the most consistent salmon rivers in the country, producing over 1,000 fly-caught fish in an average year.
The Ulbster Arms has been the home of its fishing for more than a century and a half, too, and we can arrange everything you need. This includes beats, ghillies, tackle, and transport. For more details on beat rotations, prices and availability, see our River Thurso salmon fishing guide. If salmon fishing breaks in Scotland are what you are after, that page has everything you need.
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Best time to book fishing holidays in Scotland
Timing is key when planning your fishing holiday in Scotland. The salmon season here begins on 11th January, one of the earliest starts in the country, while trout fishing runs from mid March. The river typically fishes well through to late September, with peak conditions from early May until the end of the season.
Early season is a lovely secret: the area and the NC500 are quiet, and there is nothing like warming up by a roaring fire in the hotel bar at the end of a cold day on the water.
Our RestaurantWe have a dedicated fishing team on hand to help you organise the perfect fishing holidays on the North Coast of Scotland.
Plus we are dog-friendly if you want to travel with your game companion, and offer private onsite parking and storage for your fishing gear, including our secure rod room and drying room. We also enjoy some of the fastest EV Car chargers in the Highlands of Scotland, if you are travelling to the North Coast 500 with an electric vehicle.
Loch & trout fishing in Caithness
Beyond salmon, Caithness offers excellent brown trout fishing, with numerous lochs and smaller waters scattered across the county. These Highland fishing locations are ideal for
- Wild brown trout fishing
- Fly fishing for trout
- Relaxed, scenic angling
For anglers wanting variety, combining Atlantic salmon fishing on the River Thurso and loch fishing for wild brown trout creates a more complete Scottish fishing holiday experience.
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The Atlantic salmon and sea trout season runs from January to October, with strong sport from Spring until Autumn.
Fishing permits in Caithness & Wick
Permits are required across the region, with options suiting both short stays and longer fishing holidays in Scotland. Prices offer excellent value for access to premium water, and our fishing team arranges everything before you arrive.
⚠️ Important: Availability is limited during peak season, especially for salmon fishing in Scotland. The Ulbster Arms Hotel is rated as one of the best 4-star hotels in the Highlands, set just off the NC500. We offer one of the best restaurants in Caithness. Famous for our delicious menu and homely atmosphere. We are therefore perfect for warming up at the end of the day.
Restaurant & Bar
Why do anglers choose Ulbster Arms Hotel?
The Ulbster Arms Hotel provides comfortable, well-equipped rooms designed for rest and recovery after long days on the water. We also have one of the best restaurants in Caithness for the evenings, and a location that puts all of the county’s fishing within easy reach.
We also offer group fishing accommodation in our executive lodges, separate from the main hotel and complete with a private lounge. These are ideal for fishing parties, pairs, and solo anglers alike. We are also close to the Scrabster ferry for a day trip to Orkney.
Stay at the Ulbster Arms Hotel: The ideal fishing base
Location is everything when planning a successful fishing holiday in Scotland, and the Ulbster Arms Hotel delivers on every level.
The hotel sits in Halkirk directly on the banks of the River Thurso, a former Sinclair family residence that has been a sporting retreat for over 150 years. This is a true fishing hotel in Scotland’s oldest sense, built around the rhythm of the river, with a secure rod room, an overnight drying room, a Ghillie’s Room where guests meet the team each morning, plus tackle hire and beat transport.
For anglers seeking convenience, comfort, and quality, the Ulbster Arms is one of the best options for Highland fishing accommodation.
See Our RoomsExpert tips for a successful fishing trip in Caithness, Scotland
To get the most from your trip, check river conditions online before travelling. If you are unfamiliar with the river, consider booking one of our ghillies. A day of guided fishing with local knowledge will significantly improve your results, whether you are new to the fly or a lifelong angler.
Getting here is easier than the wild setting suggests, too. And most anglers drive up the A9 or fly into Inverness and enjoy the scenic drive north, while Wick Airport is just 30 minutes away from the Ulbster Arms Hotel.
Plan your fishing holiday in Caithness
From the world-renowned River Thurso salmon fishing to scenic wild brown trout lochs and the added variety of sea fishing, Caithness offers one of the most complete fishing holiday experiences in Scotland.
With fewer crowds, exceptional fishing quality, and stunning Highland scenery, it’s the perfect destination for anglers who want more than just a trip… join us for a guided or solo fishing experience of a lifetime.
Book your fishing holiday
Don’t miss out on one of the UK’s top angling destinations. If you’re searching for the best fishing holidays in Scotland, Caithness and Thurso should be at the top of your list. This remote Highland region offers world-class salmon fishing and exceptional trout fishing on some of the most scenic and unspoilt waters in the UK.
👉 Book your stay at Ulbster Arms Hotel today and secure your place in one of the best fishing holidays in Scotland.
Enquire OnlineFishing holidays in Scotland: FAQs
No. Unlike England and Wales, Scotland has no rod licence. You only need a permit for the water you are fishing, and our fishing team arranges all Caithness permits for you before you arrive.
It depends on your quarry. Salmon fishing here opens on 11th January and peaks from May to September; trout lochs fish best from spring. Caithness has genuinely good fishing in every month of the season.
Atlantic salmon and sea trout on the rivers, wild brown trout across the lochs, and sea species off the NC500 coast. Few areas of Scotland offer this much variety within a short drive of one hotel.
Absolutely. Our ghillies coach complete newcomers; we hire out all the tackle you need, and the trout lochs are a forgiving place to learn before you try the salmon water.
Layers for four seasons in one day, waterproofs, and polarised sunglasses. Waders are useful but not essential on much of our water, and anything you forget, from rods to reels, we can hire to you at the hotel.
Plenty! Caithness offers coastal walks, castles and beaches, we sit on the NC500 route, and the Orkney ferry at Scrabster makes a superb day trip, all with one of the best restaurants in Caithness waiting at the end of the day.