Helmsdale Walk
This walk visits the pretty village of Helmsdale on the east coast of Sutherland.
The route takes you along the River Helmsdale which discharges into the Moray Firth at Helmsdale .
The walk starts at the picturesque harbour and heads north past the village. The riverside path will then take you north towards Caen Hill with splendid views to the surrounding hills and countryside. You can continue your walking through the Strath of Kildonan by heading west.
Helmsdale Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Helmsdale Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Helmsdale OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Helmsdale Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south west along the coast and you can pick up the Brora to Golspie Walk along the John O' Groats trail. In this area you can also visit the picturesque Loch Brora.
Photos
Helmsdale Harbour. Helmsdale, widely known today for its excellent salmon fishing, originally thrived thanks to the herring boom of the 19th century. The Timespan Heritage Centre in the village offers a look into the region's history with immersive displays and audio-visual exhibits, covering periods from ancient history through to more recent events. A short trip up the Strath of Kildonan leads to Baille an Or and Suisgill, locations tied to the "Great Sutherland Gold Rush" of 1869. It began when Robert Gilchrist, who had spent 17 years in the Australian gold fields, made the first gold discovery upon returning home. This sparked a rush of prospectors to the area, and a small shanty town quickly formed. Although the boom was short-lived, traces of gold are occasionally still found. Each year, Helmsdale also hosts traditional Highland Games, held in a stunning setting overlooking the village.
River Helmsdale from Telford's Bridge. The river also known as the River Ullie (Scottish Gaelic: Ilidh / Abhainn Ilidh), is a major eastward-flowing river in the Highlands of Scotland, primarily in the Sutherland region. Originating from Loch Badanloch, the river travels southeast through the Strath of Kildonan (or Strath Ullie), collecting waters from several tributaries along its course. Key tributaries include the Bannock Burn on its left side and the Abhainn na Frithe on its right, with additional significant inflows from the Suisgill Burn (left bank) and Craggie Water (right bank).
The river passes Loch Achnamoine about 1.5 km downstream from Loch Badanloch before finally emptying into the Moray Firth on the North Sea, at the coastal town of Helmsdale. Loch Badanloch is part of a network of interconnected lochs, alongside Loch nan Clŕr and Loch Rimsdale, which gather water from the southern Flow Country moors, receiving streams like the Allt an Lňin Tharsuinn, Allt Lňn a' Chůil, and Rimsdale Burn.
River Helmsdale
Caen from bend in River Helmsdale