Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries has appointed fisheries scientist and manager Dr Keith Williams as its new Director. This follows a comprehensive review of the requirements of both the Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board and the Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust. Whilst the two organisations are retaining their separate identities, they will now be working in parallel under a single Director within Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries.

Dr Williams, who has been resident in the Kyle of Sutherland since 1996, will take up the post in April. Since 2006 he has run the Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust and prior to that he spent four years with the Cromarty Firth Fishery Board. He holds a Master of Science degree in marine and fisheries science from the University of Aberdeen as well as a PhD in conjunction with Cardiff University.

Dr Williams said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of working in one of Scotland’s most renowned salmon and sea trout fisheries. I am acutely aware that safeguarding and developing the fishery is vitally important to the wellbeing of the local area”.

Robbie Douglas Miller, Chairman of Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries, commented: “We are delighted to have appointed Keith Williams to this key role. He has all the necessary skills to develop the Kyle Fisheries policy and oversee its operations. He is ideally qualified with a wealth of relevant experience”.