(Baile an Or) - 2003

During the year of 1818, a nugget of gold weighing around ten pennyweights was discovered in the river Helmsdale, North East Scotland. The find sparked national interest and the Scottish local newspapers where soon headlining the discovery. It was in 1868 Scotland ensured its place in the history books following the discovery of further gold nuggets at Kildonan, in the river Helmsdale by a local man Robert Gilchrist, who had spent 17 years in the goldfields of Australia. He was granted permission from the Duke of Sutherland to pan the gravels of the River Helmsdale. Shortly after, word started to spread into London and within just six months over 600 people made their way to Kildonan. A whole series of temporary living quarters started to appear along the river banks forming the small town ‘Baille an Or’.

Today ‘Baille an Or’ continues to provide fun for all for those wishing to try their luck at gold panning. The original nugget from the river was said to have been made into a ring and is in possession of the Sunderland family, but there have been recent stories too of a couple who panned for gold twice every year over a number of years who had their wedding ring made from the gold of Kildonan and married in the nearby town of Helmsdale. There are restrictions on panning to avoid commercial collecting which are on the exact area in which panning is permitted and the number of times panning is allowed. Full details are provided on the information board at Kildonan.