The Big Four

Your first day on The Big Four.

You leave Edinburgh and head south into the Borders. The drive is short and pleasant, carrying you into the gentle, wooded valley of the Tweed.

You’ll arrive in the Peebles area mid-afternoon. After settling into camp, there’s time for a few casts on a classic lower or middle Tweed beat. Nothing too demanding — just a chance to get your eye in, feel the water, and ease into the trip.

Camping: Peebles Caravan Park is a convenient and comfortable option, or you can wild camp along the river if you prefer a quieter, more immersive start.

Evening is for unpacking properly, sorting your gear, and enjoying that first proper night on the road. Madison will already be proving her worth as a mobile fishing base.

A full day on the Tweed.

You’ll fish a different beat today, giving you a chance to experience another stretch of this beautiful and varied river. The Tweed is known for its steady, classical salmon water and its long history of producing fish. Whether you’re fishing from the bank or wading, there’s a real sense of tradition here.

Professional guides are available if you want local knowledge and extra support on the river.

Camping: Stay at the same spot in the Peebles area — either the caravan park or a wild site along the river.

This is a day to settle properly into the fishing and let the river start to reveal itself.

You leave the Tweed behind and head north into Perthshire.

The drive takes you through some lovely Borders and Perthshire scenery. You should arrive in the Aberfeldy area by early to mid-afternoon, giving you time to set up camp and get a few hours on a good middle or lower Tay beat.

The Tay is a very different river from the Tweed — bigger, faster in places, and with a real sense of power.

Camping: Aberfeldy Caravan Park is a convenient base, or you can wild camp along the river if you prefer a more immersive spot. Both options work well here.

This is the start of the next chapter of the trip.

A full day on the Tay.

You’ll fish another beat today, giving you a chance to experience a different character of this powerful river. The Tay can be big and demanding, but it rewards those who take the time to read it.

Professional guides are available if you want someone who knows the water intimately.

Camping: Stay at the same spot in the Aberfeldy area.

This is a day to really lean into the fishing and let the river set the pace.

You leave the Tay and head north into the Cairngorms.

The drive is beautiful, taking you through increasingly dramatic Highland scenery. You should reach the Grantown-on-Spey area by mid to late afternoon, giving you time to settle and get a few hours on a classic middle Spey beat.

The Spey feels different again — faster, more intimate in places, and with a real sense of wildness.

Camping: Grantown-on-Spey Caravan Park is a convenient option, or you can wild camp along the river if you prefer something more remote. Both work well in this area.

This is the start of the northern section of the trip.

A full day on the Spey.

You’ll fish another beat today, giving you a chance to experience more of this legendary river. The Spey is often considered the most beautiful of the Big Four, with its clear water and stunning Highland setting.

Professional guides are available if you want extra local knowledge.

Camping: Stay at the same spot in the Grantown area.

This is a day to really enjoy the river and the surroundings.

You leave the Spey and head east into Aberdeenshire.

The drive takes you through some lovely Highland scenery. You should reach the Ballater area by mid-afternoon, giving you time to settle and get a few hours on a good lower or middle Dee beat.

The Dee is known for its clear water and its royal connections, but it’s also a serious salmon river with real character.

Camping: Ballater Caravan Park is a convenient and pleasant option, or you can wild camp along the river if you prefer something quieter.

This is the final river of the trip.

A full day on the Dee.

You’ll fish another beat today, giving you the chance to experience more of this beautiful and productive river. The Dee often rewards patience and careful presentation.

Professional guides are available if you want local knowledge on your final full fishing day.

Camping: Stay at the same spot in the Ballater area.

This is your last full day on the water. Make the most of it.

The final day of The Big Four.

You leave the Dee behind and head south through the Highlands and back toward Edinburgh. The drive is scenic and gives you time to reflect on the past eight days.

You should be back in Edinburgh by mid to late afternoon.

Camping: None — you’ll be home by the end of the day.

This is the end of a proper multi-river salmon fishing journey. Four of Scotland’s greatest rivers, eight days on the water, and the van as your comfortable, self-sufficient home between the beats.

Welcome back.