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