Information
Location
By Road - From Inverness (68 miles) and all points south, take the A9 across the Kessock Bridge, drive straight onwards passing Tain, Dornoch, Golspie, and Brora until reaching Helmsdale. Admire all the big sky views. On arrival turn right just before the Bannockburn Inn onto the main street through the village, travel onto the end of this street and take a right by the Bridge Hotel. Sutherland Street is 2nd turn on the right after that. Valhalla Holiday Home is 2nd house on the left.
By Road - From Wick (35 miles) take the A9 south passing through all coastal communities until arriving at Helmsdale, turn left at Bannockburn Inn onto the main street through the village travel onto the end of this street and take a right by the Bridge Hotel. Sutherland Street is 2nd turn on the right after that. Valhalla Holiday Home is 2nd house on the left.
By Bus - Citylink Stagecoach provides a regular service from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Inverness through all en-route coastal communities to Helmsdale. A complete schedule can be found here.
By Rail - The nearest train station to Valhalla is Helmsdale, and is within walking distance of the house. Train routes and connections can be found here.
Closest Airports - If travelling from further afield the nearest Airports are:
Wick Airport is 40 miles/50 mins
Inverness Airport is 75 miles/1 hr 40 mins
Aberdeen Airport is 169 miles/ 3 hrs 30 mins
Dundee Airport is 200 miles/4 hours
Edinburgh Airport is 219 miles/4 hours 20 mins
Glasgow airport is 243 miles/4 hours 50 mins
Weather:
BBC Weather: BBC weather for Helmsdale can be found here
Metoffice Travel Warnings: for the region can be found here.
(Picture Above: Dunrobin Castle Gardens, Golspie)
HELMSDALE IS ....
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20 minutes from Brora and its long sandy beaches
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25 minutes from the beautiful village of Golspie and its fairytale Dunrobin Castle
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40 minutes from the picturesque town of Dornoch and its world-famous golf course
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50 minutes from Tain and the renowned Glenmorangie Distillery
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1 hr 10 minutes to John O'Groats and the Pentland Firth
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1 hour 50 minutes to Inverness and the Loch Ness Monster
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3 hrs 15 minutes to Orkney (including the ferry)
Local Businesses
Fishing tackle, Outdoor & Country Supplies
Glencoast Ltd - Helmsdale
15/17 Dunrobin St, Helmsdale KW8 6JA
Website: https://www.glencoast.co.uk/
Daily Fishing Permits can be bought here for the River Helmsdale during the season
River Helmsdale Permit prices as follows:
January-June, Day permit £33 weekly £135
July-September, Day permit £47 weekly £164
OAP’s half price on all.
Trout lochs are managed by the estates:
Auchentoul - 01431 821283 auchentoulestate.co.uk
Borrobol - borrobolcottages.co.uk
Badanloch - badanlochestates.co.uk
Fishing Information: https;//www.helmsdalecompany.co.uk/fishing_report/index.php
Heritage & Arts
Timespan Museum & Cafe
Cafe & Restaurant
La Mirage Restaurant
Bakery, Delicatessen, Coffee House, and Kitchen
Othin House
Dunrobin Street
Helmsdale
KW8 6JA
Tel: 44 (0) 1431 821190
Gifts
Gifted - Helmsdale
11 Dunrobin Street
Helmsdale
KW8 6JA
Tel: 44 (0) 1431 821029
Website: https://www.gifted-helmsdale.co.uk/
Supplies
Spar Helmsdale Convenience Store
2-4 Dunrobin Street
Helmsdale
KW8 6JA
Tel: 44 (0) 1431 821801
Website: https://www.spar.co.uk
Opening Times Mon to Sat 0700 - 2200hrs, Sun 0800 - 2200 hrs
Brora Co-op
Fountain Square
Brora
KW9 6NX
Tel: 44 (0) 1408 621241
Website: https://www.coop.co.uk
Opening Times Mon to Sun 0700 - 2200hrs
Supplies - Online Shopping
Morrisons: https://groceries.morrisons.com
Tesco: https://www.tesco.com/
Activities & Inspirations
Check out our Sutherland & Caithness information including the area's breathtaking mountains, beaches, and moorland, as well as its history, geography, and natural attractions.