TimeSpan

Helmsdale, Scottish Highlands

Old photograph of Helmsdale train station

From the Timespan community archive

Timespan is situated in the centre of Helmsdale. This picturesque village, with harbours, coastal and riverside walking trails, boasts one of the best salmon rivers in the North. The River Helmsdale flows from the Strath of Kildonan - the location of the great 1869 goldrush and an area affected by the Highland Clearances.

Timespan includes an award winning museum with a permanent collection and changing exhibitions, art gallery, riverside café, shop showing arts and crafts and our riverside garden of Scottish herbs and flowers, nestling against the Telford bridge.

The Timespan community archive was set up in 2005. It includes a digital colleciton of over 100 photos, plus a smaller physical archive of books and maps. A core and very successful activity is an annual community exhibition (based on themes such as crofting or Helmsdale harbour) which is run by volunteers and draws many people in with contributions to the archive. A family history service is being established.