Renfrew residents invited to join in salmon fishing

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For the first time ever, Renfrew residents are being invited to join the Provost in practising an ancient maritime tradition on the River Clyde.

Guests are traditionally invited to watch as Renfrewshire's civic leaders carry out the historic act of casting the nets to retain the rights of salmon fishing on the Clyde.

And this year 50 places will be open to Renfrew residents who apply for tickets to join in the special event.

The tradition goes back as far as 1781 when the town lost the right to the fishing on parts of the Clyde by not fishing in the area.

King Robert III had granted a charter to the community of Renfrew granting the right to fish the River Clyde as far back as 1396.

However, Renfrew Town Council failed to keep the rights on parts of the river owned by Sir Michael Stewart because they hadn't fished those areas for some years. From then on, it became practise to maintain the rights by having the Provost, Baillies and Town Clerk put out the nets and haul them in every three years.

Although it is no longer necessary to cast the nets in order to maintain the salmon fishing rights, the practise is still carried on as a tradition.

Renfrewshire's Provost Celia Lawson and Renfrewshire Council Leader Derek Mackay will be inviting the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clark, all Renfrewshire councillors, local MPs and MSPs and representatives from other councils as well as from Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to join them on Friday 15 August.

The vessel will depart from Renfrew Ferry and head to the mouth of the River Leven where the nets were traditionally cast.

Provost Celia Lawson said: "This is a great tradition and it is a chance for the people of Renfrew to celebrate the history of their town. It should be a great day out for everyone."

There will be 50 places on the boat trip and for lunch available for Renfrew residents. Places will be allocated in pairs on a 'first-come first-served' basis, with one pair per household. To book a place, please contact Drew Gibson on 0141 840 3363 or Mairi Brown on 0141 840 3706.

Press release: Tuesday 8 July 2008