Sandy Smith - A short personal tribute to the Best Ghillie.

I’ve now had around 3 weeks to write this and wanted to publish it before the New Year.

It's with much sadness that I write about the loss of my good friend and closest work colleague when Ghillying at Knockando, Sandy Smith.  

Not only was Sandy a good friend, but he was undoubtedly the best Ghillie I have ever had the pleasure of encountering anywhere in my life of travel. His dedication to his fishing beat and exceptional work ethic, even given his generation, was truly remarkable. Whether it be looking after clients in the summer or working together as a team on general estate maintenance in the winter, Sandy was always Mr Reliable. A seriously tough guy, very helpful and with an extremely big heart. 

Sandy Smith and me carrying Jimmy Grey on his retirement.

When I arrived at Knockando, he was 38 years old, 16 years my senior, but the nearest to me age wise, and many other ways to me too. Fun-loving, full of energy with a great sense of humour and a lovely twinkle in his eye. 

The job of Ghillying demands many virtues. Good ghillying is a blend of hard graft, humour, a little fishing knowledge, a great deal of patience, being passionate and generally observant. Sandy had all of those and so much more. 

Located in the middle of the three Knockando beats, compared to the others, Sandy's beat was and considered to be the lesser of the three. However, due to this dedication, and an intimate knowledge of the place, Sandy was able to bring out the best and so much more in his water. I always knew that when he finally hung up his boots, this would also spell the end for the Phones beat. They always say that everyone is replaceable, and I often quote this about the death of JFK; within an hour or two there was another President. Many of us make the mistake of thinking we are irreplaceable, but in the case of Sandy Smith, he was the only person that I know of who most definitely was. When the word Legend is used, I often take this with a pinch of salt, however, in this case he really was the real deal. Anyone who had fished with him will know exactly what I mean by this. After Sandy left the beat fell away, looked shabby, and felt unloved. A real shame for what is one of the prettiest beats on the river. This really was a guy whose boots could not be filled.  

In addition to being an exceptional Ghillie, Sandy was also a talented fly tier. He would provide all the guests at Knockando with his meticulously crafted flies, which I still see being used to this day. His attention to detail, particular [fish catching style] was evident in every fly he tied. Sandy's flies were not only effective in attracting fish but also served as a testament to himself and his overall work ethic. 

Below is a short excerpt from a memoir I’m writing, describing our first meeting.  

I first met Big Sandy at Tamdhu Station, a relic of the railway, closed since 1968 thanks to Dr Beeching’s cuts. The old station had been repurposed as the visitors Centre for Tamdhu Distillery. 

Sandy Milne dropped me off and introduced me to the big man. Although not overly tall, Big Sandy [Or Sandy 2], as he was affectionately known on the estate, was built like a blacksmith. Strong, powerful, and always immaculately turned out. A handsome man, with dark short cut hair, clean-shaven and never without a collar and tie. In all my years at Knockando, I never saw him anything less than pristine in front of clients. If I were a painter and painting him, I’d have him with his shirt sleeves rolled up. Sandy was always ready to work and is appearance alone commanded respect. 

After the introductions, Sandy 1, affectionately Wee Sandy, headed off to meet his guests, leaving me in Big Sandy’s capable hands for the next few days. 

We’d barely seen the back of Wee Sandy’s wee Honda C90 when the door of the visitors centre opened. A local lad, clearly well-acquainted with Sandy, called out: 

“Come on and get yer morning, Sandy!” 

“Aye, I’ll be wee yi in a minute,” he replied. 

Then he turned to me. 

“Di yi like a dram, min?” He asked me.  

After the week before I thought, My God, what now, drams at 9:30 on a Monday morning, before we’d even started. 

Not wanting to look out of place, I tried to keep the conversation light. 

“Yes,” I said, “but maybe not this early!” 

“Early!” Sandy chuckled. “6 o’clock’s early!” 

Over we went where a couple of glasses were filled with a handsome measure of Tamdhu and this was my introduction to the Phones beat. I thought, my god, Is it like this every day!? Thankfully, this was the exception rather than the rule.  

Big Sandy would become my closest friend at Knockando. We worked together, laughed together, and being a different generation from Wee Sandy, I learned so many different things from him, and not just about fishing, but about life, people, and how to handle them in a more modern era. Being punctual and doing the job right. This was a master teacher whom, I’m sure, didn’t ever know he was; such was his natural way with people.  

His fishing hut, situated at the Pouches pool, was undoubtedly one of the most picturesque spots on the entire Spey river. The beauty of the surroundings only added to the overall experience of fishing here. For me, this location and its outstanding natural beauty was a fitting place for the rivers best Ghillie to be based. The location fitted the man perfectly.  

Sandy Smith was an exceptional Ghillie and human being who left a lasting impression on myself all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. His dedication to his fishing beat, his exceptional work ethic, and his ability to connect with people were truly remarkable. His love for his craft and his commitment to providing the best experience for his guests was evident in every aspect of his work. A true professional, genuine, and kind-hearted friend. His Ghillying legacy lives on through the memories he created for all those who had the privilege of fishing with him at Knockando.  

Sandy was perfectly placed to be a teacher of young ghillies but unfortunately fate and a general disregard for the profession from most employers means that this knowledge and work ethic, which, for generations had been passed down, is now lost. Unfortunately, the true value of the man will now never be known, a brilliant teacher of the true craft of Ghillying. If only those salmon fishery owners and estate factors fully understood the big picture, then they’d understand the true value of such people. With salmon fishing throughout Scotland operating at 10 - 20% of its full potential. Giving 100% all the time is what kept people coming back. His charm, fun, barbecues, genuine hard work and always going that extra mile to find that guest the important fish. This is what people visit this river for, not just a fish, but the full package, which Sandy was a master at delivering. The river and those of us who knew him have lost a genuine star.    

Below is part of a note published by his family. His wife, Agnes, children, Kevin and Arlene. 

Sandy’s Funeral Service will take place at Knockando Parish Church on Tuesday January 6th 2026 at 2.00pm, to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. Cremation thereafter private. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired at the church door for church funds and Prostate Cancer UK.