Scottish Highlands Towns and Villages
Helmsdale holiday accommodation cottages, cabins, caravans and hotels.
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 05 May 2012 17:33
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The old harbour of Helmsdale enjoys some prosperity from fishing boats loaded with whitefish and lobsters. As far back as 184 I salmon were packed in ice and sent south to London. Helmsdale was chosen to be a showplace by the Duke of Sutherland, who settled a few of the families his agents had evicted from the hinterland. |
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His stamp of authority is still evident in the streets running east to west which bear the names of his Scottish estates; those running north to south commemorate his English possessions.
The ancient ruins of a medieval castle overlooking the village was, in 1567, the setting of a tragedy said to have inspired the poisoning scene in Hamlet, A cup of poisoned wine intended for the Earl of Sutherland was inadvertently drunk by the Countess's son. |
