TROUT FISHING IN SCOTLAND.

HC Deb 08 April 1889 vol 334 cc1785-6

MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire)

asked the Lord Advocate, whether, when the exercise of trout fishing in an inland loch in Scotland (such as Loch Ruthven, in Inverness-shire), to which there are public accesses, has been enjoyed by the public without molestation long beyond the period of the long negative prescription, it is competent to the littoral proprietors suddenly to close the loch and exclude the public unless a large payment is made; and whether the police can be called upon to carry out the intentions of the proprietors?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) Buteshire

As regards the first question, I cannot undertake to give any answer which might tend in any way to prejudge a question of private right; and as regards the second part of the question, the police have undoubted authority to prevent any undue interference with private rights, but the extent to which such interference may be exercised must depend on the circumstances of each individual case.