About the Bladnoch & Tarf

The Bladnoch is a pleasant river set in rural surroundings in the Machars of Galloway. The river rises out of Loch Maberry and gently weaves its way over moors, forestry and farmland before entering the Solway at Wigtown Bay. With a catchment area of 132 square miles, the river is a true spate river whose character changes dependent upon its water level, offering affordable salmon fishing during and after a good fall of rain.

In the past, a net and coble fishery for salmon was operated in the Barhoise area in the upper river and also at Linquhar towards the river mouth. These fisheries are no longer used but the fact that they existed emphasises the importance of salmon in the Bladnoch's history.

The landscape around the Bladnoch is visually very attractive with little development having taken place. There are only three settlements along the length of the Bladnoch - Bladnoch village, Wigtown and Kirkcowan. The unspoiled natural environment is host to a wide variety of wildlife with otters, deer and even ospreys being sighted in the river's vicinity.

The Tarf Water is a major tributary which joins the Bladnoch near Kirkcowan, and offers some beautiful and productive fishing. It supports a healthy population of salmon which can provide good sport for a number of beats.

The Bladnoch itself offers some spectacular sights from the power of the Linn (or Waterfall) of Barhoise during a spate to the beauty of springtime in Cotland Wood. The abundance of pink-footed geese, greylag geese, ducks and wading birds led to Wigtown Bay being declared a Local Nature Reserve in 1996, of which its is still the largest in Britain.

Management of the river

The river is managed by the Bladnoch District Salmon Fishery Board (BDSFB) with scientific advice provided by the Galloway Fisheries Trust (GFT). The GFT works on the Solway rivers situated on the Scottish side of the Firth - the Border Esk, Annan, Urr, Kirkcudbrightshire Dee, Fleet, Cree, Bladnoch and Luce. The Bladnoch was one of the four founding rivers of the GFT and has been a member since 1989. The GFT's aim is to restore and maintain aquatic biodiversity in Galloway by means of practical, responsible and sustainable approaches to land, water and fishery management, based on sound science, for the benefit of the community as a whole. There is an ongoing salmon hatchery and habitat enhancement programme. For further information on the Galloway Fisheries Trust, please click here.

In recognition of the Bladnoch's salmon population, and particularly its spring component, the river was designated as a Special Area of Conservation in 2005 by the European Union.