The cache is placed at the very attractive Helmsdale Harbour. The village here developed at the time of the Highland Clearances when people were moved forcibly from their houses and small farms in the glens to make way for more profitable sheep farming in the early nineteenth century. Some emigrated to far off lands such as Canada and New Zealand, while those that stayed learned to fish, and soon there was a flourishing herring industry with exports of salted fish to Baltic countries.
The local Timespan Centre traces the Helmsdale story from pre-historic times. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and hotels in the village, each having its own ambience.
In the 1860’s the railway arrived in Helmsdale where it met twin barriers to progress in the steep cliffs into Caithness and the vested interests of the Duke of Portland. As a result the railway was forced to take a sharp detour inland through barren moorlands to reach Wick and Thurso. In the days of steam locomotives there were almost 100 people employed at the station, with a locomotive depot supplying drivers, firemen and guards for the passenger and freight trains heading north.
The twisting entry to village over two narrow bridges were by-passed in the 1980s by a modern bridge spanning the river and harbour, which necessitated demolishing the old Helmsdale Castle. Traffic now speeds through the village, but it is well worth stopping to refresh yourself, or stay a day or two in this historic area.