Duchess of Roxburghe officially opens new salmon-fishing season on River Tweed

The Duchess of Roxburghe has officially opened the new salmon-fishing season on the River Tweed in Kelso - by blessing it with a dram of whisky.

Her Grace, who lives at nearby Floors Castle, had earlier met local nursery children, who decorated wooden fishes, created by the town's Men's Shed, specially for the occasion.

Pipers led a procession from the Town Hall down to the banks of the iconic river for the ceremony on Saturday.

It marks the start of two days of events to celebrate the Tweed’s best salmon season in ten years.

Jamie Stewart, who heads up The River Tweed Commission, told Greatest Hits Radio: “"It's a huge day for Kelso. This year, the River Tweed Commission have decided we should celebrate the community's involvement in the river.

"The Tweed is the lifeblood of the area. It contributes about £25 million to the local economy and creates jobs for around 500 people.

"And, looking around the Square here, I can see hotels and businesses that all benefit from that investment anglers bring."

He added: “This year’s event is particularly meaningful as we celebrate the River Tweed’s best salmon season in 10 years."

Wet weather is being credited with contributing to that bumper catch. The official tally has yet to be announced, but officials have confirmed it was "double" the total from the previous 12 months.

Supporting the Duchess at the river-side ceremony was her husband, the Duke of Roxburghe, who hailed the turnout.

"It's absolutely fantastic," he said. "We're always very, very passionate fishermen up here, so couldn't be more supportive of the RTC, and Kelso, and opening of the river today.

"You only have to walk through Kelso to see how important it is to the entire industry round here. You've got all the shops, the hotels, and restaurants who rely on the Tweed for months and months of the year."

Among the crowds was Cuillin Rae, who has represented Scotland at angling. He hopes this weekend's event will encourage more young people to take up the sport.

He said: "What makes it so special to me is the River Tweed is where I've been brought up, I've had it on my doorstep. So I could pull on a pair of waders and it would only take me ten minutes to get down to the water.

"I'm doing a fly-tying exhibition in the Town Hall, so we're hoping to get some of the younger generation involved with that, and the fishing as well. Because that's what's missing, there's a bit of a skills gap between adults and children in the fishing world."

As well as the fly-tying fair, other highlights of the weekend include a film screening and wader upcycling project.

A similar ceremony also took place further down stream, at Norham in Northumberland, where the local vicar - the Reverend Bob Kelsey - held a short service before the casting of the first line.

WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video from the launch...

Maggie Valentine, manager of Castlegate Nursery and Out-of-School Club, said: "The children have really enjoyed this week.

"We've been supported by the Tweed Foundation to create part of their display upstairs (in the Town Hall). The wood for the fish was taken from the local estate, the fish have been made by the Men's Shed, and the children have loved decorating them - it's been a brilliant opportunity for us all."

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