Helmsdale via Lybster
September 14, 2021
HM 101. 14 September and the start of our journey south. So many gems on this passage from Wick to Helmsdale:
1. Alec Jappy, the "retired" HM of Helmsdale who was very friendly and full of the history of this ancient harbour dating from 1527.
2. This map shows some of the places we photographed for the new Imray Pilot Book.
3. The tiny and treacherous harbour of Whaligoe is approached by 330 stone steps - up which the wives carried all the catch as well as the curing salt.
4. Lybster Harbour entrance - at the height of the herring boom (1855) 3,400 people were employed in this tiny harbour catching, gutting, coopering and processing fish.
5. Lybster from the air - we felt quite daring entering this tight harbour - especially as we found out afterwards there is an uncharted rock in the main channel!
6. Dramatic Dunbeath Castle, for many centuries the seat of Clan Sinclair, re-modelled by the Victorians to look more like a film set than a fortification!
7. Good Dog safely in Helmsdale Harbour - we entered on a rising tide, unknowingly being watched by two ex HMs, who must have tut-tutted when they saw our course...see next photo:
8. The locals use the green course! This avoids tickling the sand bank as you turn 90' to starboard - like we did! The purple ring is where the Duke of Sutherland blasted open the sea wall to improve the salmon run! (Well - he does own the river!)
9. If you drive along the A9 - you will pass over a dramatic road bridge above Helmsdale harbour. Another historic "Herring" port which once housed 200 fishing boats.
10. Husband crew to wife crew - "THIS is how you coil a rope darling!" @susie.poe
1. Alec Jappy, the "retired" HM of Helmsdale who was very friendly and full of the history of this ancient harbour dating from 1527.
2. This map shows some of the places we photographed for the new Imray Pilot Book.
3. The tiny and treacherous harbour of Whaligoe is approached by 330 stone steps - up which the wives carried all the catch as well as the curing salt.
4. Lybster Harbour entrance - at the height of the herring boom (1855) 3,400 people were employed in this tiny harbour catching, gutting, coopering and processing fish.
5. Lybster from the air - we felt quite daring entering this tight harbour - especially as we found out afterwards there is an uncharted rock in the main channel!
6. Dramatic Dunbeath Castle, for many centuries the seat of Clan Sinclair, re-modelled by the Victorians to look more like a film set than a fortification!
7. Good Dog safely in Helmsdale Harbour - we entered on a rising tide, unknowingly being watched by two ex HMs, who must have tut-tutted when they saw our course...see next photo:
8. The locals use the green course! This avoids tickling the sand bank as you turn 90' to starboard - like we did! The purple ring is where the Duke of Sutherland blasted open the sea wall to improve the salmon run! (Well - he does own the river!)
9. If you drive along the A9 - you will pass over a dramatic road bridge above Helmsdale harbour. Another historic "Herring" port which once housed 200 fishing boats.
10. Husband crew to wife crew - "THIS is how you coil a rope darling!" @susie.poe