Scottish Highlands Towns and Villages

Strath of Kildonan, In 1868 a native of the Strath returned from gold prospecting in Australia. Lured on by stories of sheep with golden teeth, he began panning the waters of the Helmsdale river and its tributaries, the Kildonan and Suisgill burns.

Rather unwisely he advertised his gold strike and within a year extensive digging in the area by hundreds of hopefuls brought the Kildonan Gold Rush to the Highlands. No one ever made a fortune; the largest nugget ever found was valued at £9.

Eventually the Highland Klondyke petered out and the camp site was deserted. However, flecks of gold are still found today by those who pan for the precious metal, under licence from the Suisgill Estate Office.