Loch Achonachie Angling Club tribute to club stalwart Hugh Cushnie

Loch Achonachie Angling Club has paid tribute to "stalwart" Hugh Cushnie for his lifetime service and as one of the longest-serving members.

Loch Achonachie Angling Club (LAAC) controls salmon fishing on the Upper Conon and Upper Blackwater rivers in Ross–shire, as well as wild brown trout fishing on both of these rivers, along with Loch Meig, Loch Achonachie and Loch Scardroy. The club has a membership of over 300 anglers, including some keen junior members, some of whom have enjoyed salmon fly fishing lessons over the past three years.

Stalwart of the club Hugh Cushnie has served on the LAAC's club executive committee, as well as carrying all the office bearer positions at various times over his years at the club. As a tribute to Hugh's many contributions to the club, LAAC have awarded him with an engraved decanter.

Chairperson of LAAC, Stephen Dowds said: "Hugh Cushnie has been a stalwart of the club, tremendously influential in its development, and was instrumental with his fishing friends at the very start of the club. In the key acquisition of river beats Hugh played a key role and was with others from the area highly energetic in the fund raising efforts that enabled the club to purchase key fishings including the beautiful stretch of the Upper Blackwater above Rogie Falls.

"We send Hugh and his family every best wish for the future."

Mr Dowds went on to explain what a great pleasure it has been to work with Hugh. Hugh had been the first LAAC member that he had met when out exploring the River Conon fishings and a hugely valuable mentor to him since he joined the committee in 2010.

Mr Cushnie spoke of the club’s development years, the people who have helped him throughout, the extent of the fund raising, maintenance work, and in doing so gave the committee members a detailed history lesson of Loch Achonachie Angling Club.

The engraving on the presented decanter reads: "Presented to Hugh Cushnie from all your LAAC fishing friends with thanks for friendship and your lifetime of service and commitment to angling in Strathconon".

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