Invitation to the Opening of the Tweed Salmon Season – Monday 2 February, Kelso

I am delighted to invite you to join us for the Opening of the Tweed Salmon Season, a much-loved annual tradition and a significant moment for the River Tweed and the wider community.

Community engagement is at the heart of this year’s celebrations, with a programme of events and activities taking place throughout January, culminating in the formal Opening Ceremony in Kelso on Monday 2 February from 9.00am, followed by a public seminar, Farming and Land Management: Supporting River Conservation, at Ednam House Hotel from 10.45am.

This year, the procession will gather at Kelso Town Hall, departing at 9.45am and making its way to the riverbank at Junction Beat, beside Kelso Bridge (Rennie’s Bridge). The season will be officially opened with the traditional blessing of the river, using a quaich of Glenkinchie whisky, led by Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive Scottish Land & Estates.

I would be very pleased if you could join us at Kelso Town Hall on Monday 2nd February. Complimentary bacon rolls, along with tea and coffee, will be served from 9.00am, ahead of the procession to the river. 

RSVP
Please confirm your attendance by email to jstewart@rtc.org.uk 

We very much look forward to welcoming you to this special occasion and thank you for your continued support. 

With best wishes,

Jamie Stewart
Clerk of the River Tweed Commission                                     

Event Details and Community Involvement

The opening will begin at 9.00am at Kelso Town Hall, where hot drinks and breakfast rolls will be available. This year Yeti joins us and will be serving barista coffee from their mobile Land Rover. The Co-op will also be providing tea and coffee inside the Town Hall. 

The traditional blessing of the river will take place using Glenkinchie whisky, kindly supplied by Belhaven / Greene King. Staff from the Tweed Foundation will be present, alongside representatives from Scottish Land & Estates. The Salmon Fishing Museum will also be open to visitors.

Pupils from Castlegate Nursery will once again lead the procession from the Town Hall at 9.45am to the river at Rennie’s Bridge. 

River Tweed Opening
Monday 2 February | 9am–10.30am
Kelso Town Hall 

Seminar Farming and Land Management Supporting River Conservation. 

Following the formal opening on Monday 2nd February, a public seminar hosted by the River Tweed Commission will bring together speakers and stakeholders to explore the current challenges and opportunities affecting the river. The Tweed catchment is largely managed by the farming and landowning community, whose role in safeguarding river health and habitat restoration has become increasingly significant. 

Guest speakers include James Hunt, Senior Biologist at the Tweed Foundation and Matthew Little Habitat Officer. Jane Gibson Project Officer Tweed Forum. Eleanor Kay Senior Policy Adviser Scottish Land & Estates. 

Farming and Land Management Supporting River Conservation Seminar
Monday 2 February | 10.45am–1pm
Ednam House Hotel Kelso

Taking place on Sunday 1st February, the Fly Fair will be hosted at Kelso Town Hall and the Salmon Fishing Museum, from 10am to 4pm.

The event celebrates the craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation that define the world of fly fishing, bringing together an exceptional line-up of fly tyers, anglers, and specialists from across the UK and Europe.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet fly tyers from England, Scotland, and Europe, including Ken Middlemist, the last Hardy fly dresser; John Schets from the Netherlands; and Phil Glendinning from Aberdeen. Also attending are Robert Smith, author of The North Country Fly; Gavin Brown, Junction boatman; Jim Smail, renowned for classic flies; and Iain Wilson, creator of the Posh Tosh.

The Fly Fair will also welcome Grant Gibson of Middle Mertoun, who has represented Scotland 17 times at river and world level and captained the national team on seven occasions. Alongside them will be Yellowbelly Flytying, Fly Frames, FishPal, Trout & Salmon Magazine, Fishing TV, TweedStart Ambassadors, and many more.

A highlight will be the exhibition by Stuart Hardy, who will present his world-renowned fly-tying collection, featuring pieces dating back to the 1700s. Stuart will also showcase treasures from the historic Forrest of Kelso, the iconic tackle shop established in 1837 by the Forrest brothers, whose legacy is deeply intertwined with the heritage of Tweed angling. The collection can also be seen on the morning of Monday 2nd February.

Tweed Fly Fair
Sunday 1 February | 10am–4pm
Kelso Town Hall & Salmon Fishing Museum