Now the collection is set to take flight to John Shewey's home in the United States – just so that he can photograph them for his latest book.

Mr Shewey, one of the world's leading authorities on fly fishing, had for years searched for flies hand crafted by the late River Spey ghillie, Geordie Shaw.

So when he discovered a perfectly preserved collection hanging on the walls of the Craigellachie Hotel, he was desperate to feature them in his book.

Mr Shewey, who is based in Oregon, visited the Speyside area last autumn to carry out some research for the second edition of his book on Spey and Dee flies.

He was shown around the area by guide Roy Mathers, boss of private tour firm About Speyside, who also helped him gather information about Shanks.

Mr Mathers used his local knowledge to locate Shanks' former home in Craigellachie, which is just a stone's throw from the village's imposing hotel.

It was only then that he discovered that the flies which have graced the hotel's lobby for years are an extremely valuable collection made by Shanks.

Mr Mathers said: "John knows more about Spey flies than anyone and he has actually been responsible for re-establishing the use of these flies in Oregon.

"He was in no doubt that the flies in the hotel were Shanks' flies. As soon as he saw them, he knew for sure that they were the genuine article.

"Although these were the first ones that he had ever seen, he knew they were made by Geordie Shanks because of the way they were tied and what they were tied with."

Management of the Craigellachie Hotel were stunned to learn that the collection, stored in glass cases, was of such huge importance to the fishing world.

The hotel has now agreed to the flies being shipped to the USA so that Mr Shewey can carry out a full examination and photograph them for 'Spey Flies and Dee Flies – Their History and Construction'.

Craigellachie Hotel general manager Elaine Fyffe and About Speyside tour operator Roy Mathers with the collection of Spey flies which are being flown over to America. NS

He will return them to the lobby and will provide labels and notes about Shanks, which will sit alongside the collection in a refurbished display case.

Shanks lived in Craigellachie and, as head ghillie at Gordon Castle at Fochabers, earned a reputation as one of the finest ghillies in the area.

During his 50 years in the job, he taught members of the aristocracy how to fish and many of them turned out to his funeral held in the village in 1915.

Mr Mathers added: "He was part of a large family. He never married and lived in the house near the hotel with his sisters, who were never married either.

"I don't suppose Geordie would have still been making these flies as he got older, so the collection in the hotel must be more than 100 years old.

"I was able to use my local knowledge to locate Geordie's last resting place at Maggieknockiter. John and I visited it last year, and had a wee dram for him."

Elaine Fyffe, general manager of the Craigellachie Hotel, said they were delighted to help Mr Shewey, who had also asked to buy the collection.

"But we feel they should really remain in Scotland where they belong," she said. "We all walk past the flies every day, and were totally unaware of how important and how valuable they are.

"A lot of our guests come here for the fishing and have taken an interest in them, but no one before now has realised the significance of them.

"We're delighted that John has been able to shed some light on the collection, and they'll be taking pride of place from now on."

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