About the Loch
Coldingham Loch is a natural spring fed 22 acre loch set in approx 60 acres of land & the holiday cottages are scattered around the site. The loch is one of Scotland’s oldest established fisheries and has a well earned reputation for being a fantastic place to enjoy a top quality days fishing and/or a fabulous holiday. And there is the added advantage of being free from biting midges!
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it is the only Eutrophic loch (naturally nutrient rich loch) in the Scottish Borders. The following information is taken from the SSSI citation detailing the loch’s special features.
‘Coldingham Loch lies approximately 3 km north-east of Coldingham near the cliff top of the Berwickshire coast, and is the only naturally nutrient rich loch in the Scottish Borders. The location of the loch so close to the sea is a rare feature in eastern lowland Britain, giving the loch unusual chemical and biological features.
At the south and west shores of the loch there are emergent and floating plants and to the western end is a fen, which itself encloses a small area of water. There is a small amount of willow growth around the loch shores, with most of the shore grading into rock outcrops and rough grassland.
The loch supports a representative range of vascular plant species, including the rare slender-leaved pondweed Potamogeton filiformis. Locally rare species include the aquatic plant horned pondweed Zannichellia palustris and fen plant greater spearwort Ranunculus lingua. Two locally rare species of dragonfly have been recorded at the loch, and in the water there are land-locked distinct morphotypes of stickleback.
Although not notified features, the site is also locally important for a wide range of wintering wildfowl, geese and waders including long-tailed duck, whooper swan, widgeon, pink-footed and greylag geese. ‘
Additionally the Loch enjoys close proximity to some truly ancient settlements. A few hundred metres north of the north end of the loch you can find the site of two hill forts and an enclosure ‘Tun Law’. This settlement is thought to be Iron Age or earlier and overlooks the Loch at the highest point from the North between the Loch and the cliffs giving some superb panoramic views across the landscape.
Fishing at Coldingham Loch
Coldingham Loch is a natural spring fed 22 acre Loch uniquely positioned in close proximity to the magnificent cliffs of the Berwickshire coast. As the only eutrophic (naturally nutrient rich) loch in the Scottish Borders, it offers the discerning angler the opportunity to fish for its hard fighting, fast growing, free rising trout.
It is one of the country’s oldest established trout fishery and has a reputation for providing top quality fly fishing from both boat or bank. There are 10 boats and a mile and a third of bank fishing. Waders are allowed for bank fishing and there is now a path right round the loch as well as one floating platform.
Fully finned Blue and Rainbow Trout averaging more than 2lbs and our own strain Browns from 1lb are taken regularly on dries and small nymphs from May onwards. Traditional loch style methods work well all year and the evening fishing in May and June can produce the most fantastic rises of fish. Buzzer fishing in April and early May produce some fine over-wintered fish and there is always the chance of that fish of a lifetime at any time of year.
The Loch is stocked regularly throughout the season with high quality fish averaging over 2lbs and has an extended season from March to November. Numbers of rods are restricted to ensure that the anglers never feel crowded so booking is recommended. Please ring us for further information.
