Sutherland and Helmsdale travel and tourist guide
Journey by train or plane to Helmsdale, Sutherland
Is the long drive from the south the only issue holding you back from a holiday in the North of Scotland? There are many exiting and interesting travel options, should you really want to avoid the long drive from the South.
Inverness station is served by direct Anglo / Scottish train services, with connecting services directly to Helmsdale. There is a 6 day weekly direct sleeper service operated by Scotrail from London Euston departing (approx 2045 hours) calling at intermediate stations via Watford, Birmingham, Crewe and Edinburgh, delivering you "bright and breezy" in Inverness at (approx 0830 hours) and a corresponding return service departing from Inverness (approx 2040 hours) arriving London Kings Cross (approx 0750 hours). More information is available through national rail enquiries Tel 08457 484950 and their website Either At Inverness you can hire a car through Northern Vehicle Hire +44 (0)1463 235337 (for the easy 2 hour drive to Helmsdale) Or Take the direct train with buffet services Monday to Saturday, departing from Inverness at (approx 1125 hours) and arriving in Helmsdale rail station (just 1/2 mile drive from your cottage) at (approx 1330 hours) also a convenient return service departing from Helmsdale at (approx 1400 hours) and arriving in Inverness at (approx 1600 hours) Car hire or Taxis are available at Helmsdale A R McLeod and Son 27 Dunrobin Street 01431 821338 More information is available through national rail enquiries Tel 08457 484950 and their website
ALSO There is a 6 day direct weekly service operated by GNER from London Kings Cross departing (approx 12.00 hours) calling at intermediate stations via, Peterborough, Doncaster, York and Edinburgh arriving Inverness at (approx 2002 hours). And a corresponding return service departing from Inverness (approx 0755 hours) arriving London Kings Cross (approx 1600 hours). More information is available through national rail enquiries Tel 08457 484950 and their website By Bus or Coach Citylink offer regular services from Inverness to Helmsdale www.citylink.co.uk and www.nationalexpress.com offer a vast range of good value services from most cities in England to Inverness
Wick Airport (60 minutes drive from your cottage) is served with daily direct flights from London Luton (easy jet) and also Glasgow, Edinburgh and London Gatwick with (BA CitiExpress) there are also daily flights out to the Shetlands and the Faroes. More information on Tel:+44(0)1667 462445 Fax: +44(0)1667 464216 E.Mail: hial@hial.co.uk Inverness Airport also has an airport taking regular service flights from London Gatwick with (BA CitiExpress), Glasgow and Edinburgh with (Loganair), Manchester and Norwich with (Eastern Airways).Also from London Luton with EasyJet who specialise in great value budget flights to Inverness Airport.
Although you are traveling to the most Northerly point in Britain, it is quicker and easier to drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Caithness than it is to drive to the Northern Highlands and Islands. The roads up to Caithness are a pleasure to drive on, the main A9 trunk road takes you all the way and is well maintained, wide and clear and because it hugs the North East coast from Inverness to Caithness it is generally clear (because of the sea salt) even when the rest of Scotland is not.
Access North Sea View Cottage from Inverness take the A9 over the River Ness and follow signs for Thurso and Wick, after passing the Dornoch Firth, Golspie and Dunrobin Castle you can enjoy fantastic views of the North Sea before arriving at Helmsdale some 16 miles further on. Follow the A9 up the hill out of Helmsdale (approx 1/2 mile) and look out for a left turning and drive way (guarded by large wooden gates) you have now arrived at Sea View Cottage. Car and van rental is in-expensive, from as little as £24.00 per day and available from Avis and Hertz at their desks on the public concourse at Inverness Airport and Inverness Railway Station: AVIS +44 (0) 1667 462787 and HERTZ +44 (0) 1667 462652. There is also Northern Vehicle Hire +44 (0)1463 235337 or email: reservations@northernvehiclehire.com N.B.All travel information listed is intended as a guide only and we recommend that you contact personally any of the companies you intend travelling or hiring with through, the word hyper links we have provided. "So there is no need to let the distance... spoil a once in a lifetime experience"
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