The term Ghillie derives originally from the Scottish Gaelic word ‘gille’, a servant. But in modern use it means someone who supports fishing or deer stalking activities in the Scottish Highlands. Fishing ghillies are typically employed to manage a fishing beat on a salmon river and to help fishing parties understand the river, where salmon might lie and what fly’s and lines might be best suited to the conditions. They understand better than anyone the working of a particular river and and all the wildlife which depends on that river.

Fishing last week on the River Carron in Sutherland, I had the opportunity to take these pictures of three of the ghillies on the river. With thanks to all of them for their tolerance of both my fishing and my camera.