Description

Size/Area:- 33 Acres (13 Hectares)

The boat mooring is half way down the west side of the loch. This is a good starting point if you can drift in a North-easterly direction towards and into the narrow bay (past the large boulder) in the North-east corner, this can be a very productive area. Probably the most regularly fished area by both bank and boat anglers is the lower section of the loch where it connects with Loch nam Falcag. The points, bays and headlands on the East side of this section of Loch na Craoibhe are the most productive on the loch. However, trout can be taken all over the loch in varying weather conditions. Trout average 10-12oz, with a day’s fishing yielding 8-15 fish. Dabblers, Bumbles, Clan Chief, Ombudsman, and Peter Ross will all produce fish. Care should be taken during May as salmon smolts seem to congregate in the loch, especially in the North-east corner, before they migrate downstream to the sea at Laxay.

Location

Grid Reference NB300227
Loch na Craoibhe is one of the three Achmore lochs that we have access to courtesy of the Soval Estate

Parking & Access

Take the A857 out of the centre of Stornoway, going straight ahead for another 100 yards at the first roundabout onto Macaulay Road.

Take a left turn and carry on for 300 yards.

Take a left turn onto the A858 and carry straight on up the hill and remain on the main road for about 6 miles (note that it becomes the A859 after three quarters of a mile).

You will see a school on the left, a fuel station,shop and row of houses on the right At the end of the row of houses (Cameron Terrace) take a right onto the A858 and remain on the main road for about 2.5 miles.

Early in Achmore village take a left just as the road approaches a slight S bend with a small forestry on the left and a small disused quarry on the right and continue on this lay-by road for around 140 yards.

Take a left off the lay-by road descending down to Loch Achmore and continue on this road for around 160 yards.

Parking area for several vehicles is on the right, just past a spring-bolted gate (please re-bolt the gate for security of livestock).  Head along the south shore of Loch Achmore and then diagonally left across the moor to Craoibhe.

For an alternative route to Loch na Craoibhe, drive through the  village of Achmore until you are just past the end of Loch Achmore which is clearly visible below the village.  You can park on the left, near where the road suddenly dips down.  Your walking route will then take you direct the west side of Loch na Craoibhe, removing the need to walk round the south side of Loch Achmore from its east end.

Species

• Brown Trout