Hunting and fishing in the countryside

Fishing

Your fishing rights depend on where you're fishing.

Inland fishing

The rights to fish in inland rivers, streams and lochs usually belongs to the landowner whose property borders or surrounds the water. However, these rights can be bought, sold or leased separately from the land.

If a river runs between two pieces of land owned by different people, each owner normally holds the right to fish on half of that stretch of river.

To fish on any inland water, you must either own or lease the fishing rights, or have permission from the rights holder. Fishing without permission is an offence. Fishing for salmon without permission is a criminal offence.

Sea fishing

You don’t usually need permission to fish recreationally in the sea or most tidal waters. This includes sea lochs, bays and tidal stretches of rivers, as these are owned by the Crown. You might still need permission to cross private land to reach the water.

You cannot fish for salmon anywhere without permission.

Hunting

Before anyone can hunt or shoot, you need:

• the permission of the landowner - or of the person with hunting rights on the land 

• a game licence - you can apply to the Post Office for this 

• a firearms or shotgun certificate - if you’re using a gun. You should apply to the police for this. 

Read more about licences in the species licensing A-Z guide on the NatureScot website.

Hunting with dogs

It’s illegal to hunt a wild mammal using a dog except in limited circumstances. The definition of a 'wild mammal' does not include mice or rats.

In situations where hunting with a dog is allowed, there are rules about how it must be done and limits on the number of dogs that can be used. In some circumstances, NatureScot can issue licences for using more dogs.

It’s also an offence to knowingly cause or allow someone to hunt a wild mammal with a dog, unless it's for a permitted purpose.

Using a dog to find and follow an animal-based scent, known as trail hunting, is also illegal, unless the dog is being trained for a lawful purpose.

You can read more about hunting with dogs and licensing on the NatureScot website.

If you're concerned about an illegal hunt, you can report this to the police. Find out more about reporting wildlife crime on the Police Scotland website.

Poaching

It's a criminal offence to poach. Poaching means pursuing, taking or killing game, including rabbits, or fish without the owner's permission.

If the police or local river bailiffs suspect someone of poaching, they can stop and search them and any vehicle belonging to them. If the person suspected of poaching refuses to provide their name and address, the landowner can apprehend them and take them to a justice of the peace.

Selling game

A licence is required to sell game. You should contact your local council's licensing department for more information.

Other organisations

Several organisations have more information about hunting and fishing.

NatureScot

NatureScot, previously known as Scottish Natural Heritage, is the government body which promotes conservation of the countryside. It's responsible for designating and caring for sites and areas which have a special interest in terms of their wildlife, habitat or landscape value. These sites are national nature reserves, sites of special scientific interest and national scenic areas.

NatureScot operates through a network of local offices. Its headquarters are:

League Against Cruel Sports

The League Against Cruel Sports campaigns against many forms of hunting, coursing and blood sports.

Scottish Countryside Alliance

The Scottish Countryside Alliance campaigns on certain rural issues and is pro-hunting.

Scottish Rural Network

The Scottish Rural Network provides information, opportunities for discussions, a calendar of events and an opportunity to communicate with people in other rural areas across Scotland.