Helmsdale, Sutherland

This weekend, I drove up to Helmsdale in Sutherland to visit Julia while she was on her artist residency with TimeSpan.

First impression were of a backward 'past-it' village (especially when I saw a sign on the harbour that said, NO NET WORKING) until I was ingratiated into the local food, sights and people's company.

Timespan is a very interesting attraction. It's a museum, Gallery, Cafe and experiential visitor attraction.

Whilst there, I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of a photographic exhibition by Fin Macrae.

ThreeSixFive|TriSiaCoig

A Year in the Highlands & Islands

Amazing set of portraits by the man and the concept for the exhibition is remarkable.

So, onto the chippy! La Mirage

Extract from their site :

Come and enjoy the: traditional Scottish soups, fresh seafood, salads, t-bone steaks, vegetarian meals, snacks and range of delicous cakes and desserts. All of which can now be enjoyed with wine, beer or if you prefer tea, coffee or a soft drink

A favourite with visitors and locals alike, the walls are adorned with the pictures of celebrities who have visited the restaurant over the years.

Barbara Cartland has long been admired by Nancy and there are a number of pictures of the two of them on the walls. But many others from Victoria Wood, who did one of the numerous programmes that have been done on Nancy and La Mirage, to Paul Young, T.V's Mr Fisherman and Sally Whittaker of Coronation Street, can be spotted in the collection.

On Sunday, Julia & I stayed in the pub a little too long chatting to locals so we missed any opportunity to eat! We snuck into La Mirage while the staff were all eating and pleaded... We were most happy to walk away with 2 pie suppers and smiles on our faces...