School visits

The Spey Foundation and the Spey Fishery Board actively supports education projects at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Educational activities include the "Salmon go to School" project, student projects and work placements. Study visits are also welcomed to the river and the Boards various facilities’.

These activities are usually managed through the Spey Foundation, contact Bob Laughton, tel 01340 810841, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Primary Schools

The "Salmon go to School" project has proved to be very popular with local primary schools. Pupils in participating schools receive a presentation on the River Spey which includes details of the fish species present, the life cycle of the Salmon and its importance to the local economy. Pupils are then provided with a classroom hatchery and some salmon eggs and encouraged to look after them until they hatch. This part of the project culminates with the release of fry by the the pupils into a nearby burn.

To broaden the pupils understanding of the Spey follow up visits can also be arranged and include "Bugs and Beastie Hunt" where pupils learn how to collect and identify river invertebrates and fish, "Schools go to Fish" where pupils learn some basic fishing techniques, to tie their own salmon flies and test them out on a fishing trip.

To supplement these initiatives the Spey Foundation can also provide the a Riverbank Resource Box which is packed with useful information and media on the Spey and rivers in general. Books, lesson plans, DVDs and sampling equipment are all included. Any primary schools within Speyside that wish to become involved should contact Bob Laughton, tel 01340 810841, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Secondary Schools

Work experience placements are offered to local secondary school pupils. Pupils can expert to gain experience of fisheries survey techniques as well as data collection and analysis.  In recent years pupils from Grantown Grammar School, Kingussie High School, Speyside High School, Forres Academy, Nairn Academy, Lossiemouth High School, and Buckie Academy have joined the Spey staff for one-week placements. For further information contact Bob Laughton, the Spey Biologist, tel 01340 810841, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it