Helmsdale Walking Trails

Helmsdale is a village full of history and charm. Originally a Viking settlement, it has endured the ravages of conquest and time because of its natural harbour and plentiful supply of fish from both river and sea. The beautiful landscape around the village lends itself to many walking trails that suit all tastes and levels of fitness.

A selection of the many walking trails is given below.

Helmsdale Heritage Trail

A pleasant walk taking in the sights and places of interest around the village, starting and finishing at Timespan. Cross the Telford Bridge, built in 1811 by Thomas Telford (Britain’s foremost engineer of the time) to visit the Clock Tower built to commemorate the bravery of servicemen in World war I. Pass by the site of Helmsdale Castle built in the 1400s and take in the views of the harbour, the Old Customs House and the Red Herring Smokery amongst many other relics remaining from the golden age of the herring fishing industry.

Suitability: Level 1 (gentle walk)

Duration: 30 Minutes

Marrel

Walk past the 1824 Ice House and Old Cemetery, past ruined croft houses built during the clearances and follow the River Helmsdale up the Strath of Kildonan to the settlement of Marrel, nestling under the crags of Creag Marail. You will see willow coppicing used to make lobster pots, crofting strips running down to the river and it is even possible to spot salmon jumping in the pools and waterfalls – if you are lucky!

Suitability: Level 1 (gentle walk)

Duration: 1 hour

Navidale

An enjoyable walk along the east shoreline, with fine views of the Ord of Caithness and abundant birdlife, towards Navidale bay, one of the proposed sites for a herring fishing harbour in the early 1880s. Search the bay for remnants of an old pier and discover a prehistoric fossil or two! Walk past Navidale Farm and Navidale graveyard stepping back in time imagining the hardships encountered in days gone by.

Suitability: Level 2 (muddy tracks and shale beaches)

Duration: 1 hour

Crofts, Stags and Mountain Hares

Explore the old crofting settlements of West Helmsdale and Gartymore. Single track roads meader through both working and neglected ruined crofts. Discover the memorial erected to commemorate the local people who helped set up the Land League. Walk up an old peat road over the moors where you can spot red deer and golden eagles. Here you will have magnificent views across to the conical hills of Sutherland and Caithness. On your return to Helmsdale you will have a stunning bird’s eye view of the village.

Suitability: Level 3 (uneven tracks and steep hills)

Duration: 2 hours

These are just a few of the many walking experiences possible in Helmsdale and its environs. For more detailed information on any of these or further walks, please contact Timespan.