All Discussions - Helmsdale Forum

Sutherland

patweir — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:33:39 -0500

I am a descendent of George & Christy Sutherland who emmigrated to Canada about 1821. They may have been part of the Selkirk Settlers that came at that time. I will be visiting Scotland and Helmsdale this summer. Family rumour has it that they brought one child with them but left 2 behind. If this sounds familiar to anyone out there I would appreciate hearing anything you might know. Pat Weir

MELVILLEs, McKAYs. MURRAYs etc. West Helmsdale, Loth and Portgower

DEB1 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:23:10 -0500

My 3xGrandparents were John MELVILLE b. June 20, 1800 d. 1884 .He married Jane McKAY in Portgower on Feb.22, 1828.They had six children:- Catherine b. 1829 who m. James McKay b. 1831 in W.Helmsdale ,marriage in Edinburgh in 1856 ...may have gone to NSW, Australia, Donald b. 1830..not on 1841 census, Hugh b. 1831 vanishes after the 1851 census ...probably in NSW, Jane b. 1834 m. David Bremner in Edinburgh and stayed there to have a family , Isabella, b. 1836 , my 2x grandmother I know about..m.in Edinburgh who moved to South Shields from Renfrew with her family of 4 children in 1870s and Roberta b.1839 married Alex MURRAY also a cooper like her father.They took over the croft to help her aging parent.I have never been able to trace Jane McKAYs parents or siblings. She died after the 1841 census and he married Grace MacPherson in 1847. Would appreciate any help with this family.

Looking for property to rent in Helmsdale

mandy_mcintosh — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:11:17 -0500

Hello there, my name is Mandy McIntosh, I am being employed by Timespan to work on a new digital society programme with older people in the area, so moving north from Glasgow at the end of January. Im looking for a property to rent in or around Helmsdale with at least two bedrooms, any suggestions most welcome and I really look forward to becoming part of the community there.
Thank you!

What's your views on the future of your community?

gordonbush — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:45:08 -0400

The Scottish Community Foundation and Gordonbush Advisory Panel are keen to hear your views and ideas about Golspie, Brora, Rogart and Helmsdale. This area forms the ‘Gordonbush wind farm community benefit area’ and local community groups are eligible for support from the Fund for the next 25 years. Building on the good work of the Development Group and acknowledging that Helmsdale does have a forward plan we're keen to just check in with peoples thoughts and views about Helmsdale to help shape the future purposes & priorities of the Fund:

1. What's your vision for Helmsdale's future?
2. What do you think are Helmsdale's strengths and opportunities?
3. And what are some of Helmsdale's weaknesses and threats facing the community?
4. Do you know any interesting facts or figures about Helmsdale?
5. What are some of things you'd like to see developed or retained over the short-term (say the next 3 years?)
6. And what about some things you'd like to see over the longer term? (10+ years)
7. Any other comments or views about the emerging Gordonbush Fund?

Drystone Walling Course

dog_eared — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:49:01 -0400

A TWO DAY DRYSTONE DYKING
COURSE

INSTRUCTOR - GEORGE GUNN
MASTER DRYSTONE WALLER /ADVANCED TRAINER

DATE: SATURDAY/SUNDAY 25th & 26th June
TIME: 9.30AM – 4.00PM
AT CAIRNFIELD, WEYDALE, BY THURSO

This is a beginners course suitable for all ages and abilities
£60 per person with light lunch provided.

TO BOOK A PLACE ON THE COURSE PLEASE
CONTACT GEORGE GUNN TEL. 07788470272
Email is georgegunnwalling@hotmail.com

Some photographs of my work are on my facebook page here - facebook.com/georgegunnwalling.

Do come along and have an enjoyable two days learning a useful traditional skill alongside other likeminded people.

Helmsdale Street information

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 11:03:05 -0500

Hi,
I would be very interested to hear from people who can supply any of the following information.

Names, locations and meanings - Lanes, corners, braes, parks, roads, steps and other in Helmsdale?

I am keen to add them to the growing list of names we have gathered as part of the Timespan project - The Streets Where We Live.

We are also looking for information on the past residents of Shore Street - can you help?

Also, if you wish to contribute old house photos we can scan and retune within 48 hours, or same day if required.

Best wishes

Jacquie Aitken
(Heritage Officer, Timespan)

The Moray Firth offshore windfarm begins construction in 2014. How will it affect your area?

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:58:28 -0500

Hello!

I want to get some opinion from the communities bordering the Moray Firth, about the offshore windfarm due to start construction in 2014. I met Craig Milroy from Moray Offshore Renewables (MOR), the company developing the project, while I was at the Offshore Wind Conference and Exhibition in Aberdeen at the start of February 2011.

He was very enthusiastic about the project, the technology and the benefits it will bring. He's even been touring the coastal areas and meeting communities. I filmed our interview and posted the video on You Tube, and you can see it here:

So, how do you decide? Is it good or bad? Do you prioritise the environment or the economy? If you favour one, does the other have to suffer? How will your life change?

I would like to hear what people have to say.

You can find out about my project Renewable Future on Facebook, Twitter and at the You Tube site.

I look forward to hearing what people have to say.

Sam

Sam Thom
Online Content Producer
Rufus Runs Fast
Aberdeen

GILCHRISTS

gilchristsearch — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 10:40:36 -0500

I have been researching the GILCHRIST families of Helmsdale, Gartymore & Portgower for many years but have struck a brick wall determining the parentage of Clunes GILCHRIST (crofter and later fish curer) who is buried in Loth kirkyard (d.1851). He had two wives - Isobel McKAY (1793-1834) and Isabella McPHERSON (1811-1860). An ex-soldier, John GILCHRIST, returned to Gartymore and was nursed on the GILCHRIST croft by Clunes' widow before dying in 1856. His death certificate states his parents were a John GILCHRIST & Ann McDONALD. A family document from 1915 records that that the author was told of 12 of Clunes' uncles fighting at Waterloo and that there had been 21 sons and 1 daughter in the family. If anyone can help me add any further information, I would appreciate the help.
Ron Scott ELY

Helmsdale Street information

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:09:31 -0500

Hi,
I would be interested to hear from anyone with information on the following street associated names in Helmsdale:
Lanes
Corners
Braes
Parks
Roadies
Steps
Other?
I am keen to add them to the growing list of names we have gathered as part of the Timespan project - The Streets Where We Live - we have a session this Sat on archival images of the streets - please come along, it's 10.30am to 12.30pm.

We are also looking for information on the past residents of Shore Street - can you help?

Best wishes

Jacquie Aitken
(Heritage Officer, Timespan)

Great Grandparents

Moira — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:25:11 -0500

I am looking for information on my great grandparents that were married in Helmsdale on December 14, 1864. My g grandfather's name was John Duffner, he was born in Germany. My g grandmother was Ann Gilchrist of Navidale.
Ann's parents were George Gilchrist and Catharine Gilchrist ms Fraser.
Thank you.

Hi i am looking for anyone that remembers my family

coolpolitealex — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:04:55 -0400

I came from a gypsy family and they lived in 25 fairfield rd (they did in 1955) and i am trying to find details of the rest of my family.
I know it is going to be hard as they moved about a lot my mother was called Susan Stewart ,my father Donald MacDonald.
I am so proud to have been born in pope hospital (i think) anyone know or remember anything.
I will be travelling up there sometime this summer and look forward to seeing it in person.

The great-great grand daughter of Major Donald Sutherland (b.1852) and of William McAngus (b. 1879).

helmsdale — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:14:46 -0400

Hello. I am the great-great grand daughter of Major Donald Sutherland (b.1852) and of William McAngus (b. 1879).

My great-grandmother, Evelyn (Eva) Sutherland (b. 1894) married George McAngus (b. 1879) and had my grandmother, Eva McAngus (b. 1923) as well as Isobel, Marjorie, Helen and Donald.

Robert McAngus, a cousin of my grandmother, Eva, was writing to her and her husband, Syd, in 1995/1996. At that time, Robert and his wife lived at Glebe House, Helmsdale. I was wondering if he or his wife, Ena still reside there and if so, if they would be willing to contact me?

I would also be delighted to hear from any of my other relatives still living in Helmsdale.

William McAngus had 4 sons - James, William Jr, Alexander and George.

That's about all the information I have.

Thanks.
Jennifer (Left by Jen Bradshaw on 2008-09-02 05:04:46)

Uisdean MacAngus of Portgower ,Helmsdale , and Hilton,Easter Ross

helmsdale — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:07:50 -0400

Just discovered your lovely website, and as my family's roots are in Portgower and Helmsdale I have spent hours discovering and examining it. My great grandfather was Hugh (Uisdean) MacAngus ,who was born in Portgower and lived in Helmsdale before moving to the Seaboard Village of Hilton in Easter-Ross. He was a well known fisherman and senior Gaelic Elder of the Free Church. Uisdean was well written up in the book "My Uncle George" by Alastair Phillips about his uncle ,the Rev.George Mackay,a great friend of our family If anyone has any genealogy of Uisdean MaCAngus I would be most thrilled to hear from them.Thank you very much,and again, congratulations on a splendid website,Tom in Aylmer Ontario,Canada