Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Some Reminiscences of Helmsdale


Some Reminiscences of Helmsdale


Written by Alexander Gunn aka A Native of Badbea.

Published in the Northern Ensign on 22 July 1890. Part A

To The Editor of the Northern Ensign



Helmsdale 2008


Sir. -Your readers and the natives of Helmsdale have been treated to a sketch of the present state of the place. I propose with your permission and that of your readers, to give a sketch of what the place was like in my young days, when I believe it was in a more flourishing condition than it is at present.



Distillery and Meal Mill


The time was in my recollection when the distillery was in full swing, carried on by William and Alexander Simpson, who were extensive fishcurers as well. They also carried on farming at the Boghals. There was a meal mill in full operation at Navidale, the miller being Robert Gunn, ‘Au Rean.’ 

Limekiln


The limekiln which stood to the west of the distillery was used in burning lime for a supply to those building houses in Helmsdale and the neighbourhood. About this time the pier was extended to its present dimensions and the wall facing the river and the outside of the basin was built.
Old Telford Bridge and curing yard Now Timespan c1910s

Fishcuring


Fishcuring was carried on most extensively on both sides of the river. On the north side the curers were Jarvise, John MacLeod, Hampton, William and Alexander Simpson, Kenneth Sutherland, Donald Mackenzie, D. Cooper, Peter Cuthbert, ‘Petrie,’ Robert Fraser, Andrew Mackay, and Methven. On the south side, below the castle, later on, were Donald Ross, John Mackay, ‘Heylum,’ Alexander Bruce, Angus Proucle and Alex Macleod. These were, as far as I remember, the curers. There would be fully 200 boats fishing in Helmsdale about this time.




Fishing Boats


I have seen the river from the bridge to the end of the pier crammed with boats and ships, so that one could walk from end to end of the harbour over boats. Thousands of pounds were circulated in the place during the fishing season, and a large number of coopers were employed during the rest of the year.
Helmsdale Harbour c1880




My Comments:


The village of Helmsdale is a few miles south of Badbea on the east coast of Sutherland where the Helmsdale River flows into the North Sea. The new Helmsdale village was planned on a grid pattern by the Sutherland Estates in 1814 at the time crofters were being cleared. The intention was that crofters could make a living fishing herring. There were fish in abundance but it was dangerous work for men who initially had few of the skills to man fishing boats and bring in herrings in the North Sea. The Helmsdale harbour was built in 1818 and extended in 1823 and again in 1892. It was one of the largest herring fleets in Europe.

The old distillery is shown on the map as a long building over looking the sea to the east of the village. The distillery was originally run by A & D Simpson between 1825 and 1831 and then by Alexander Simpson & Co between 1831 and 1837 and finally by James Christie and Co. Christie went bankrupt and the distillery was closed and dismantled. A modern house is now on the site of the old distillery.


House called 'Lobster Pot' on site of old distillery


The meal mill at Navidale was somewhere near the ruins visible in this Google Earth picture.



I can’t find any trace of the lime kiln but see Geograph picture for what they look like. Lime kilns were just a large furnace with an opening at the top. Chunks of limestone from a quarry would be layered in the kiln with coal or peat and then set alight. The fire would burn slowly for a day or two. When it was cool the quicklime that had accumulated at the base would be raked out. It was a very energy intensive process.  Limewash or white wash was used extensively on house walls and in cellars to improve the light.



To be continued...


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