Guidebook for Highland
Food Scene
Thyme and Plaice offers traditional homemade food and baking. Its welcoming, friendly atmosphere means that you feel at home whether it is a full course meal you are eating or just enjoying a cake and coffee on the sofa.
12 locals recommend
Thyme and Plaice
10 Dunrobin StThyme and Plaice offers traditional homemade food and baking. Its welcoming, friendly atmosphere means that you feel at home whether it is a full course meal you are eating or just enjoying a cake and coffee on the sofa.
Fiona makes the most amazing desserts, cakes and delicious lunches. There is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere in a traditional country kitchen style setting. Well worth a visit.
12 locals recommend
The River Bothy
Fiona makes the most amazing desserts, cakes and delicious lunches. There is a welcoming, friendly atmosphere in a traditional country kitchen style setting. Well worth a visit.
La Mirage are famous for serving the best fish and chips in the Highlands but watch out....their portions are HUGE. They do have food options available on their menu apart from their signature dish including locally caught sea food and deserts to die for.
You can eat in or take out. The decor is little quirky but well worth a visit.
23 locals recommend
La Mirage Restaurant
7-9 Dunrobin StLa Mirage are famous for serving the best fish and chips in the Highlands but watch out....their portions are HUGE. They do have food options available on their menu apart from their signature dish including locally caught sea food and deserts to die for.
You can eat in or take out. The decor is little quirky but well worth a visit.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great local pub with restaurant. Come here for all the local news and gossip ('crach').
The Bannockburn Inn
Stafford StreetGreat local pub with restaurant. Come here for all the local news and gossip ('crach').
Another great local pub which also serves food. Across the road from the Bannockburn Inn, this pub is good for experiencing the local culture and nightlife.
6 locals recommend
Belgrave Hotel station
Another great local pub which also serves food. Across the road from the Bannockburn Inn, this pub is good for experiencing the local culture and nightlife.
Parks & Nature
You don't have to venture very far away from the yurt to find wonderful scenery and wildlife however, if you want to take a drive, the strath offers you all this plus the River Helmsdale, gold-panning and stunning views. The river is renowned for its great salmon fishing. Obtain a permit from Timespan if you would like to fish for your supper!
If you turn off towards the Kildonan Estate, the road takes you up and over Glen Loth where herds of deer can be spotted and amazing, panoramic views of the mountains to the north and west of the area can be seen.
Strath of Kildonan
You don't have to venture very far away from the yurt to find wonderful scenery and wildlife however, if you want to take a drive, the strath offers you all this plus the River Helmsdale, gold-panning and stunning views. The river is renowned for its great salmon fishing. Obtain a permit from Timespan if you would like to fish for your supper!
If you turn off towards the Kildonan Estate, the road takes you up and over Glen Loth where herds of deer can be spotted and amazing, panoramic views of the mountains to the north and west of the area can be seen.
Arts & Culture
Dunrobin castle is not only breathtaking to view from the outside but does not disappoint inside too. The best time to visit is between 1st April and 30th September as, at 11am and 2pm, there is a falconry display in the castle grounds which, incidentally, are well worth seeing in their own right. It is steeped in history and is the stately home and family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland.
56 locals recommend
Dunrobin Castle station
Dunrobin castle is not only breathtaking to view from the outside but does not disappoint inside too. The best time to visit is between 1st April and 30th September as, at 11am and 2pm, there is a falconry display in the castle grounds which, incidentally, are well worth seeing in their own right. It is steeped in history and is the stately home and family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland.
Timespan gives you an insight into Helmsdale's past and present from the Highland Clearances to today's culture. It also has a cafe and regularly puts on various events and exhibitions
31 locals recommend
Timespan
Timespan gives you an insight into Helmsdale's past and present from the Highland Clearances to today's culture. It also has a cafe and regularly puts on various events and exhibitions
Shopping
Gifted
11 Dunrobin StGifted sells unique Scottish-made gifts from handbags to homeware.
Yvonne not only sells great outdoor clothing and fishing tackle but you can also buy local gins, beers and wine here as well as soaps, jewellery and crafted gifts. Get your fishing permits here as well as the daily info on fishing the River Helmsdale.
Glencoast - Helmsdale. Fishing tackle, Outdoor & Country
15/17 Dunrobin StYvonne not only sells great outdoor clothing and fishing tackle but you can also buy local gins, beers and wine here as well as soaps, jewellery and crafted gifts. Get your fishing permits here as well as the daily info on fishing the River Helmsdale.
Essentials
The 'hub' of the community, Spar sells groceries, beer, wine,confectionary, household essentials as well as takeaway coffee and hot food.
SPAR Helmsdale
2-4 Dunrobin StThe 'hub' of the community, Spar sells groceries, beer, wine,confectionary, household essentials as well as takeaway coffee and hot food.
Getting Around
Helmsdale station
Trains run 4 times a day to Thurso in the north and Inverness in the south