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Click for services within this area. The River Helmsdale silvers the Strath of Kildonan. It is an outstanding salmon fishery, the preserve of rich and famous anglers. In times past, however, Kildonan residents used the stream more comprehensively. The Strath was home to Neolithic peoples and their Pictish descendants. For them, Helmsdale salmon were an important source of food. The ruins of Kilphedir Broch crown a small hill overlooking the river. Brochs were defensive towers built around the time of the birth of Christ. There are a multitude of other sites of archaeological interest: Learable Hill, with is collection of standing stones, hut circles cairns and stone rows, the later being unique to Caithness and Sutherland. However, the strath is most noted for the gold found in streams that bustle into the river. The Kildonan 'gold rush' began when Robert Gilchrist found gold in the Suisgill and Kildonan burns in 1868. By the following year 500 prospectors were at work, living in a shantytown, 'Baile an Or', the town of gold, which they built to service their needs. You may still pan for gold at 'Baile an Or' today and permits are issued at no cost by the Sutherland Estate. All the equipment you need to do so may be purchased in Helmsdale. Some regular 'panners', over the years, have found enough gold to make their own jewellery. Do likewise? Hotels |
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