I reviewed these notes at the end of June 2022. As far as I can see Navionics have not updated the sector light but , be advised that the HM has maintained the old Lead-in boards. The hardware store has closed so no gas.

I've just noticed that this years Navionics chart has not updated the information on this harbour so does not show the sector light.

I reviewed these notes in May 2021. I've made the instructions clearer by emboldening them. It really does require a sharp turn to starboard as you pass the Pierhead. Prices have gone up a bit but nothing else has changed.

Sep 2020. My boat draft 1.65M. To repeat the instructions above, you need to turn sharp to Stb as soon as you pass the pier head - i.e. cut the corner into the harbour!
We came in about mid flood - about an hour too early! We stuck to mid channel and then turned to Stb once we were opposite the centre of the entrance and we touched the soft bottom. We carried on into the entrance and needed to do a 90' turn to Stb and then reverse into the visitor space Stb side to, on the inside of the wall, immediately to the West of the entrance. We just about touched the bottom at LW but it was fine.
The council HM is Donald Sutherland (07767 311213) is very friendly but not always at the harbour. Lots of people in the village will watch you enter the harbour - especially if you enter too early like we did!
Interesting history in the village and the whole way along this coast.
The RWG sector light to approach the channel from the sea is now operational, but we did not use it as we were concentrating more of centering ourselves on the mid channel by eye.

1.) The buoys in the approach (1 X SHM and 1 X PHM) were swepped away several years ago and it is planned to replace them with a sector light

2) Depths have now reduced in the Inner Harbour Entrance to CD ie zero at LAT

3) Prices will increase for 2018; not yet promulgated.

For Mathew. Strictly speaking Helmsdale was part of the Sutherland Estates. They are now lumped together as Caithness and Sutherland and Easter Ross. Helmsdale is claimed by both the Sutherland and the Caithness websites! I'm not taking sides!!

By Don T March 2017. I've just talked to the HM here reference the buoyage outside Helmsdale. He tells me that he is still waiting for Lochinver to send a boat to replace the Red Can buoy but not only that, the Green one is now on the beach. So no buoyage outside Helmsdale

As of at least 1st June 2016 the red lateral mark mentioned is missing. I recommend making sure you have identified the transit to enter the harbour at the green lateral mark if entering around low water as the channel is very narrow.

According to the local museum, Helmsdale is in Sutherland rather than Caithness.

These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2016. They dredged a couple of years ago but it is silting up again so it's still shallow at the visitors pontoon at LWS. The prices have not yet been posted by the HC but I am told they will remain the same as last year.