ONE OF Scotland’s best-known ghillies has died. Colin Leslie, who for more than 50 years was responsible for the Cargill beat of the Tay, was reknowned as “Scotland’s Salmon King”. During his lengthy service, his angling guests included American millionaire Nelson D. Rockefeller, New Zealand’s King of the Maoris, the Japanese ambassador, and Field Marshall Montgomery’s Chief of Staff.
Colin still holds the record for the most large salmon caught in Scotland since the Second World War. His biggest was a 56.5lb monster which he played for an hour. He died peacefully in Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital, aged 84.