Autumn Storms

In Scotland the weather in October and November can turn stormy and wild bringing a intense grey beauty to this part of the United Kingdom.  Helmsdale faces the North Sea so when a storm happens it bears the brunt of some fierce weather, particularly when the tide is high.  The high winds and tidal surges affect the harbour and river inlet with dramatic surges of water, however, as the photo below shows the fishing boats are protected by the shape of the harbour.  

A recent trip to Helmsdale coincided with some stormy weather yet there is no doubt this is the best time to appreciate a warm, cosy and welcoming environment. Valhalla Holiday Home is a cosy centrally heated house with a wood burner in the lounge for added comfort and atmosphere.  After an afternoon taking some photographs around the area and getting a bit soggy Valhalla was a welcome relief to return to and enjoy!  

View from the hill behind Valhalla looking down onto the harbour during a recent storm

High gusts of wind created dramatic wave surges over the harbour wall

 High Tide at Helmsdale Harbour

A local taking it all in his stride and enjoying the view

Helmsdale Harbour wall bearing the brunt of the storm

Large waves surge over the harbour wall

The storm starts to pass

Calmer weather ahead.....

Holidays growing up in Helmsdale, Sutherland

My name is Jennifer Gordon and this is a small introduction to who we are and why we have a holiday home in Helmsdale.

Holidays in the highland fishing village of Helmsdale were an intrinsic part of our childhood. My brother, sister and I spent most holidays on that part of the Sutherland coastline doing all the activities our generation did: walking along Helmsdale river, climbing hills at the back of the village, scrambling along the rocks to the bay at Navidale, picnic-ing on Loth Beach.

We visited the impressive Dunrobin Castle, climbed the Ben Bhaggie hill behind Golspie, gold panned our afternoon away at the Baile an Or,  but always we spent most of our days together with extended family: cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers maintaining an important link between sections of our dad's family.    

Helmsdale River

Our dad was born in Helmsdale in 1925 and spent his formative years in Toll Cottage, a modest and small 2 bedroom cottage across from the Bannockburn Inn.  He lived there with his mum, dad, a brother and sister until he left for Glasgow and the Royal Airforce at the age of 16.   The ties to his homeland were strong and after his return as a prisoner of war from Germany he met and married our mother in Newcastle, but regularly returned to Helmsdale to visit his family.  As his own family grew in size these visits became more important and it provided a welcome opportunity for the entire clan to reunite on common ground whether beachside, lochside or pub-side!

These clan meetings have continued over many years and have now become a tradition which continues to this day ..... hence our holiday home, Valhalla. The local museum and art gallery, Timespan signage says it perfectly - it is a meeting place between our past and our future generations.  

Welcome to Valhalla and we hope you enjoy our holiday home as much as we do!

Cottages at Helmsdale Harbour