Lack of rain traps salmon in pool on Lewis

A combination of low tides and a lack of rain has trapped dozens of salmon in a salt water pool on the Western Isles.

The islands and the north-west Highlands have experienced lower than average rainfall.

The situation has prevented salmon from swimming upstream from a pool on Garynahine Estate on Lewis.

The estate has asked anglers not to fish for the salmon following concerns the activity in shallow water will cause the fish stress.

Gamekeeper Donnie Whiteford said the fish could become alarmed by the sight of anglers along the sides of the pool, and from seeing lines being cast.

He said: "The problem is that we haven't had any meaningful rainfall for more than three months and the salmon cannot get up the river.

"Like other rivers in the Highlands we desperately need heavy rain to get the fish out of the sea and into the rivers and lochs."

Last week, a fresh warning was issued about the low level of water reserves near Stornoway, on Lewis.

Business Stream, a subsidiary of Scottish Water, asked businesses to use water as efficiently as possible to ensure supplies of drinking water.

Non-domestic users in and around Stornoway have been asked to consider measures such as not washing vehicles.