Place to Visit

Using Helmsdale as your base, John o'Groats and the Orkney Islands are within easy reach and the whole of Sutherland is at your doorstep. For the visitor from the city, for whom driving has ceased to be a pleasure, the quiet roads of the country will bring joy back to motoring and you can explore the unspoilt loveliness of the area. Or simply park your car and enjoy what the village and surrounding countryside have to offer.

Sit by the harbour and watch the boats come and go, explore the beaches for gemstones, play tennis or golf, squash or carpet bowls, go bird watching or hill walking. Fish for salmon or sea trout on the association water, or visit one of the many lochs in the area for brown trout fishing. Visit some of the many ancient brochs and cairns or spend an afternoon at nearby Dunrobin Castle. When night eventually falls, call into one of the hotels for a friendly chat, or have a good meal of local venison, salmon lobster or crab.

Timespan is situated in the centre of Helmsdale. Timespan includes an award winning museum with a permanent collection and changing exhibitions, art gallery, riverside café, shop showing arts and crafts and our riverside garden of Scottish herbs and flowers, nestling against the Telford Bridge.

There is entertainment in the village throughout the season and visitors are always welcome. One of the highlights during the summer is the Helmsdale highland Games where the top Scottish athletes, pipers and dancers compete. The Highland Games this year will be held on the16th August 2014.

The river Helmsdale tumbles and winds its way down the beautiful Strath of Kildonan and is one area which no visitor should miss from his itinerary, as there is so much to see. The Strath abounds with wildlife and history, including the historic church at Kildonan and Baile an Or and Suisgill, sites of the great Sutherland Gold Rush of 1869. Many men from all over Britain came in search of gold and there is still gold today. You can still pan for gold, details can be obtained from Strath Ullie Crafts .

Places to visit outwith the village:

Dunbeath Heritage Centre

Strathnaver Museum

History Links The Meadows Dornoch

Shin Falls

Clynelish Distillery

RSPB Forsinard

East Sutherland is one of the lowest rainfall areas in Scotland, and here in the north, we can boast the longest summer days.