The eagerly-awaited opening of the Tay salmon fishing season will be celebrated along the banks of Scotland’s longest river.
At Kenmore anglers and guests including Provost Liz Grant will gather in the village square before heading down to the riverbank in a procession led by the Vale of Atholl Junior Piper Band.
The provost will then bless the boat before the first cast of the season will be made by three times World Speycasting Champion Scott Mackenzie.
Downriver at Dunkeld, Dr Aileen McLeod, minister for environment, climate change and land reform, is the guest of honour at the Hilton Dunkeld House.
The ceremony has been organised by the Hilton in conjunction with Dunkeld and Birnam Angling Association, the Dunkeld and Birnam Tourist Association and the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce and is supported by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB) and the Tay Foundation.
At Meikleour, three-year-old ghillie’s daughter Eilidh McRoberts will be assisting with the symbolic first cast while Pipe Major Ian Duncan will be leading anglers to the river just below Kinclaven.
The celebrations continue on Friday in Kenmore with a gala fundraising dinner followed by a dinner and ceilidh on Saturday night.
Over the last 12 years the Kenmore Hotel has raised £1.17 million for many worthy causes including the Nicola Murray Foundation, CHAS, Sarah’s Promise and Angling for Youth Development as well as many smaller charities.
This year more than 200 guests will be attending the gala dinner and it is anticipated that it will generate in excess of £100,000 for charity.
Kenmore Hotel general manager Ross McEwen said he was delighted to be welcoming anglers from around the country.
“The Kenmore Hotel has been a popular hostelry for anglers since 1572 and this landmark event has been celebrated at Kenmore since 1947,” he said.