🎣 7 curated fishing spots
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Edinburgh sits right on the Firth of Forth, giving the city free run of a working sea coast — harbours, piers, and rock marks stretching east toward North Berwick — plus a quieter river running through the centre and a scatter of lochs further out. Scotland's fishing law is notably different from England's: no national rod licence for freshwater, and sea fishing that's free and unrestricted almost everywhere.
Unlike England and Wales, Scotland has no national rod licence for freshwater fishing — instead you need permission from the landowner or angling club whose water you're fishing, usually bought as a permit or day ticket. Sea fishing from the shore or a boat is free and unrestricted nearly everywhere. One long-standing quirk: fishing for salmon or sea trout is not allowed on Sundays anywhere in Scotland.
Fishing Spots
The 7 best fishing spots in Edinburgh
All spots are curated and mapped — click any card for the full story, or open the map to explore.
Edinburgh #1
Granton Harbour
A working harbour on the Firth of Forth shore, a short bus ride from the city centre, with rock marks and a pi…
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Edinburgh #2
Cockenzie shore
The shoreline by the former Cockenzie power station, east along the Forth from Edinburgh, is one of the better…
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Edinburgh #3
North Berwick harbour
A small, picturesque harbour town further east along the Forth, popular for pier and rock fishing with views o…
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Edinburgh #4
Water of Leith walkway
A quiet, tree-lined river walkway less than ten minutes from Edinburgh city centre, a world away from the Fort…
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Edinburgh #5
Cramond, River Almond mouth
Where the River Almond meets the Forth at the edge of Edinburgh, Cramond's tidal flats and rocky foreshore are…
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Edinburgh #6
Loganlea Reservoir
A Pentland Hills reservoir about 15 minutes from Edinburgh, fly-fished only for stocked rainbow, brown and tig…
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Edinburgh #7
Bangour Reservoir
Bangour Trout Fishery, a 7.5-acre fly-only bank fishery on this West Lothian reservoir near Edinburgh, stocked…
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Practical Info
Planning your visit
Best timeSummer evenings for mackerel and pollack off the Forth piers; autumn for cod and whiting as the estuary cools.
Getting thereEdinburgh Airport (EDI) connects to most of Europe. Forth-side spots are reachable by bus or a short drive from the city centre; North Berwick is about 40 minutes by train.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh
Do you need a licence to fish in Edinburgh?
Sea fishing along the Firth of Forth is free and unrestricted, no licence needed. Scotland has no national rod licence for freshwater either — instead you need permission (a permit or day ticket) from the landowner or angling club for rivers like the Water of Leith or the River Almond.
What fish can you catch in Edinburgh?
Mackerel, pollack, coalfish, and wrasse are the summer catch from the Forth's harbours and rock marks, with cod and whiting picking up in autumn. Brown trout are the main freshwater target on the Water of Leith.
Where are the best fishing spots in Edinburgh?
Granton Harbour and Cockenzie for shore and pier fishing on the Forth, North Berwick for a scenic harbour session, and the Water of Leith for a quieter river day close to the city centre. See the full list of spots below or open the map to explore.
Can you fish in Edinburgh without a boat?
Yes — every spot listed here is shore, harbour, or riverbank fishing, no boat required.
When is the best time to fish in Edinburgh?
Summer evenings are best for mackerel and pollack off the Forth's piers and rock marks. Autumn brings improving cod and whiting. Note that fishing for salmon or sea trout is not permitted on Sundays anywhere in Scotland.
Explore Edinburgh on the map
See all 7 fishing spots pinned on an interactive map — and add your own discoveries.
Roadmap
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