The unique nature of Loch Leven as a brown trout fishery has been recognised for well over a hundred years. Indeed it was back in 1866 that Dr Albert Günther, a prominent zoologist at the British Museum, first gave the Loch’s trout its own classification.

Salmo levenensis

Salmo levenensis is a fast-growing fish with a bright, silvery colouring and a pink flesh similar to a sea trout. But with its graceful form and sporting qualities, it is easily distinguished from any trout caught elsewhere. Many anglers consider it to be the perfect trout.

Over the years, it has been used to stock rivers, lakes and lochs not only in other parts of the UK but across the world, from New Zealand to the Americas. (The first documented introduction to North America appears to have been made in Newfoundland as long ago as 1884.)

However, wherever the Loch Leven brown trout is introduced, it interbreeds freely with any other brown trout in the water and its distinguishing characteristics rapidly disappear. Even where there are no other species of brown trout present, the same transformation occurs.

In other words, this is a fish that is uniquely adapted to its home environment - making Loch Leven the only place in the world to find the real thing!