Easter Ross

East Ross-shire or Easter Ross as it is known locally, is dominated by the Cromarty Firth, a sea inlet fed primarily by the River Conon and River Alness, both of them productive salmon rivers, but of very different character. On the south side of the firth is the Black Isle, and on the north side a narrow, fertile strip of land rising inland to a range of mountains extending south-west to Ben Wyvis above Dingwall. There are a few trout lochs along this coastal strip, but there is significantly more trout fishing in the River Conon system. The River Conon is the biggest salmon river in the area, most productive from below Loch Achonachie.
Visitor access is possible through the Dingwall and District Angling Club estuary beat and Loch Achonachie Angling Club's waters, which include stretches of the upper Conon and upper Blackwater, the main tributary. The club also offers visitors some very good trout fishing on the Strathconon lochs comprising Achonachie, Meig and Scardroy. The River Conon system is the most northerly in the UK to hold pike, which are present in all the large lochs and reservoirs, and also in Loch Ussie.

Salmon fishing on the River Alness is available to visitors on the private Novar beats, and through Alness Angling Club. Trout fishing is also available on the River Alness and two of the lochs in its catchment, Loch Morie and Loch Bad a’ Bhathaich.

On the eastern limit of this area near to Tain lies Loch Eye, one of the very best trout lochs in the Highlands.