2026 River Championship
River Championship
2026 Scottish National River Championship
Scottish National River Championship
River Tummel
26th July 2026
The final was originally set to be held on the River Tweed but in view of the low water level and the high water temperature and following advice from the Tweed Foundation, gillies and fish biologists the River Committee decided to move the final to the River Tummel. The committee wish to thank everyone who provided guidance on this matter.
The committee also wish to thank the anglers for competing on the Tummel and also wish to thank Pitlochry AC, the Ballinluig Inn for catering at short notice, and the controllers for giving their time to ensure the championship final was a success.
The 2026 Scottish National River Champion is Scott Hamilton of Tweed Valley Tanglers. Scott, with 9 place points was 10 points ahead of Richard McHattie of Clatto & Stratheden AC who was second. In session one Scott was third with 5 fish and 237.3 points. In session two his 4 fish for 183.1 points earned a second place. He was third again in session three with 2 fish and 97.1 points. Scott rounded off his day with an incredible 8 fish for 404.7 points and first place. His total of 9 place points came from his 19 fish and 922.2 points.
Richard McHattie was second with 12 fish and 560.4 points that earned him 19 place points. Ladislav Piljar of Tweed Valley Tanglers was third with 21 place points from 9 fish and 417.9 points. Fourth place went to Matthew Skeoch of Crown FF with 24 place points from 11 fish and 530.7 points. Fifth with 37 place points from 6 fish and 296.9points was Robert Maxwell of Clatto & Stratheden AC and sixth place went to Ian Jones of Lochgelly SRC AC with 37 place points from 6 fish and 285.2 points.
photo: Scott Hamilton
The top six. From the left Ian Jones, Rab Maxwell, Ladislav Piljar, Scott Hamilton, Matthew Skeoch and Richard McHattie
NATIONAL RIVERS FINAL – RIVER TWEED
– 26TH JULY 2026
Ross McKean Crown FF
Scott Hamilton Tweed Valley Tanglers
Matthew Skeoch Crown FF
Robert Maxwell Clatto and Stratheden AC
Michael Ward Johnstone FF
Stevie Plank Johnstone FF
David Downie Port Glasgow AC
Adrian Mowat SPPM
Ernest MacKay Sen Aberdeen and District AA
Richard McHattie Clatto and Stratheden AC
Kenny Riddell Aberdeen and District AA
Ian Jones Lochgelly SRC AC
Ernest MacKay Jnr Aberdeen and District AA
Lee Ross Coldstream and District AC
Ladislav Piljar Tweed Valley Tanglers
Andy Foggin Earlston AA
Dick Logan Coldstream and District AC
Graham Brown Saltire AC
Heat 3 - Qualifiers
Lee Ross - Coldstream & District AC
Derick Logan - Coldstream & District AC
Ladislav Piljar - Tweed Valley Tanglers
Andy Foggin - Earlston AA
Graham Brown - Saltire AC
Scottish National Rivers Championship
Heat 2 - River Don - 17th May 2026
The second of the river heats was held on the River Don on 17th May and the top rod with 24 fish and 5 place points was Richard McHattie of Clatto & Stratheden AC In second with 15 fish and 12 place points was Kenny Riddell of Aberdeen & District AA and third with 15 fish and 14 place points was Ian Jones of Lochgelly SRC AC.
The top 4 go through to the final.
Scottish National Rivers Championship
Heat 1 - River Tummel - 3rd May 2026
The first of the river heats was held on the River Tummel ln 3rd May and the top rod with 16 fish and 8 place points was Ross McKean of Crown FF. In second with 11 fish and 10 place points was Scott Hamilton of Tweed Valley Tanglers and third with 9 fish and 17 place points was Matthew Skeoch of Crown FF.
The top 9 go through to the final.
61 trout and 20 grayling were caught with the largest being a grayling of 42cm.
photo from left:
Scott Hamilton, Ross McKean and Matthew Skeoch
Scottish National River Championship
National Rivers Prelim - River Tummel 3rd May
Fred McDonald - NCR AC
Robert Maxwell - Clatto & Stratheden AC
Connor MacLennan - Strathgryfe AA
Scott Hamilton - Tweed Valley Tanglers
Mike Cordiner - Aberdeen & District AA
Ernest MacKay snr - Aberdeen & District AA
Michael Ward - Johnstone FF
Stevie Plank - Johnstone FF
Adrian Mowat - SPPM
Michael Low - Greys Menteith Ospreys
Gordon Whyte - Lochgelly SRC AC
Matthew Skeoch - Crown FF
Ross McKeen - Crown FF
Shaun McKeen - Crown FF
National Rivers Prelim - River Don 17th May
Scott Robertson - NCR AC
Richard McHattie - Clatto & Stratheden AC
Kenny Riddell - Aberdeen & District AA
Ernest MacKay jnr - Aberdeen & District AA
Iain Lindsay - Strathgryfe AA
Ian Jones - Lochgelly SRC AC
National Rivers Prelim - River Tweed 31st May
Graham Brown - Saltire AC
Ladislav Piljar - Tweed Valley Tanglers
Ron Chesney - Crown FF
Andy Foggin - Earlston AA
Kenny Barnes - Earlston AA
Lee Ross - Coldstream & District AA
Derick Logan - Coldstream & District AA