Anglers in Perthshire are welcoming the news that commercial rafting companies on the upper Tay have now been ordered to limit their use on the river to four days per week during the salmon fishing season. At Perth Sherrif Court on January 18, Sherrif Michael Fletcher ruled that rafting is banned on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Three riparian owners and Aberfeldy Angling Association had issued a writ on Perth & Kinross Council following the collapse of an agreement between anglers and rafters. Following the introduction of the Land Reform Act of 2003, which incorporates the public’s right to access, the rafters tore up any existing access agreements between anglers and rafters and the constant, heavy raft-traffic has resulted in the beats becoming virtually unfishable, resulting in a loss of revenue to the club and neighbouring estates.

“This was our only resort,” said Aberfeldy Angling Association secretary, Bob Stewart, “Our trout angling permit sales were down, and some riparian owners had given up advertising their beats for salmon because no anglers were coming back due to the constant disturbance they endured. Angers were not being unreasonable, and it was with extreme reluctance that court action had to be taken. The river was being put under excessive disturbance and noise from an increase in rafting activity built up over the years due to the introduction of the Land Reform Act (2003)."

John Mason-Strang, who runs Nae Limits, an outdoor activity company which offers rafting on the stretch concerned, told FF&FT, “Nae Limits will not be rafting on that stretch of the river on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but will go somewhere else”. Mr Mason-Strang declined to say where. He also stated that the rafting fraternity was not party to the writ, and a solicitor was being consulted with regard to making an appeal.

Not realising that the decision is nothing to do with the Council but was issued by the Sherrif, Steve 'Fluff' Thomas of FreeSpirits, another outdoor company in the area which offers rafting on the Tay, said: "it is our every intention to contest this ruling. We simply were not afforded the opportunity to defend this case and are doing everything within our power to correct this … we need Perth & Kinross Council to realise what they [sic] have allowed to happen."

• The rafting companies are implying they never knew about the writ being served on the Council. However, in November 10, 2010, FF&FT contacted Dunolly Adventure Outdoors – yet another outdoor company in the area which offers rafting on the upper Tay – inviting a comment on the news about the writ being served on the Council. No reply was forthcoming.