Leeanne Aitchison is bringing some Festive cheer for fishermen who don’t have anywhere to go on Christmas Day.
Popular Drumtassie Fishery in West Lothian will be open from 9am to 7pm for fly and bait fishermen.
It’s the first time that Leeanne has opened on the big day and Leeanne said: “We have a volunteer, John Napier, whose wife is a carer and working that day.
“He didn’t have anywhere to go and asked if we could open for the day. We felt it was a good thing to do as a number of men who come here regularly are on their own over Christmas.
“So, it will be good for guys without a family or are on their own to come here, have a chat, some hot soup and, of course, do some fishing.
“Also, some guys might have a new rod gifted to them on Christmas Day and want to try it out.”
She said the idea had been well-received and Leeanne said: “We have a car park for 60 and plenty of pegs are available.”
Her busy fishery at Heights Road, Blackridge, has been open for over a year and she was hands-on during the building work.
There are two ponds, one for bait fishing and the other for fly fishing.
Until recently she has been open 24-hours a day but night fishing is now only on Friday and Saturday because of the cold snap. Day hours are 8am to 7pm and there are floodlights.
Martin O’Hara holds the record for a 22lbs trout landed and Jocky Weir holds the mark for the biggest brown trout, around 20lbs.
She explained: “We cater for all sorts including shift workers and people seem to enjoy the facility and what we have to offer. They keep on coming back.”
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