May 10, 2007
Anglers’ river bid could flounder
Hopes that anglers on the River Ugie in Aberdeenshire could become the first community in the country to buy-out their local river are fading.
Anglers’ river bid could flounder
BBC
10.05.07
Hopes that anglers on the River Ugie in Aberdeenshire could become the first community in the country to buy-out their local river are fading.
It is looking increasingly unlikely they will reach the price tag of £350,000 by the Thursday deadline.
The 18-mile long Ugie is one of the few privately owned rivers left in
They now face an anxious wait to see what will happen to the river.
The River Ugie, near Peterhead, was put up for sale by owner Mark Curzon with the price tag of £350,000.
Other hopes
The Ugie Angling Association, which has leased the river for nearly 100 years, was given first refusal and has raised tens of thousands of pounds towards a bid to buy it.
It is concerned that if it fails, the river could be bought by wealthy landowners who may restrict access.
Chairman James Duthie told BBC Scotland ahead of the deadline: “It would be a big loss to the community, we do not know what’s going to happen.
“The locals may have nowhere to fish.”
The other hope is if the river is put on the open market, the anglers might be able to make another bid in the future.
Also, any new owner might allow them to continue fishing at reasonable rates.