ARTLANDS NORTH

Timespan is an award-winning museum and cultural development organisation which provides a unique experience for locals and visitors alike. Rooted in the village of Helmsdale, Timespan explores the history, heritage and landscape of its distinctive, rural location. Founded as a local museum in 1986, it has since grown to encompass an archive, shop, café, community workshop and gallery, the latter being the only public exhibition space in Sutherland dedicated to contemporary art.

The museum has a wealth of information about some of Sutherland’s more turbulent historical events, such as the Highland Clearances, alongside a varied collection of artefacts spanning thousands of years. Using the latest digital technology, visitors can travel through time and experience a virtual, immersive reconstruction of a pre-Clearances township. A Clearance Trail App is available to download for Apple and Android, for those wanting to follow in the footsteps of past Highlanders up the Strath of Kildonan.

Timespan supports local, national and international artists through a continuously evolving programme of exhibitions and residencies. The programme is supported by a series of events, workshops, discussions and films. Everyone is invited and welcome to participate.

Timespan’s picturesque Riverside Café overlooks the Helmsdale River, and there is also a herb garden, geology garden and gift shop.

Entrance to the art gallery is free.
Museum Admission: Adults £4 | Concessions £3.00 | Children £2.00 | Family tickets £10.00

Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter spent time in Sutherland researching the figure of the outcast in oral traditions, supported by a Scottish Arts Council Award. This period of research culminated in the realisation of his largest and most challenging public art work yet, set in a remote location in the far North West; The Unknown. At Borgie Forest The Unknown is physically distant from Scotland’s major population centres; so for many the journey, the context and the sculpture come together to define the outcome of this artwork.

The Unknown is made in nodal iron, a material which patinates to a red rust-like finish, sympathetic to the landscape palette. The articulation of joints in its skeletal form reminds us of 20th century artists such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth who developed new forms though manipulation and abstraction.

Hunter researched his idea supported by a Scottish Arts Council award.  He developed the concept through a series of watercolours and maquettes. In his original proposal Kenny used photographs of wild landscapes to illustrate his thinking about remote landscape contexts; these included locations in Sutherland.  Timespan worked with Sutherland communities and individuals to host Kenny in a series of research trips across the area to identify the ideal location for a permanent work. A rocky knoll in Borgie Forest was eventually chosen, and the Forestry Commission Scotland kindly agreed to host the sculpture as a permanent art work.

The Gallery at Caithness Horizons hosts a varied programme of changing exhibitions, showing a range of work by local and national artists.

In addition, Caithness Horizons’ Museum houses a permanent exhibition which uses the Museum’s Collection of objects to tell the story of the county of Caithness from the geological period known as the Devonian (about 416 to 359 million years ago) to the present day.

Visual Artist

Studio & showroom of Patricia Niemann, qualified goldsmith, designer and glass maker. One-off and bespoke items of unusual fine jewellery, studio glass and wearable textile accessories on show and for sale. Life drawing. Commissions invited. Card payments accepted.

New studio location since May 2014.

The piece represents migration, of the whales around the coast and salmon up and down the River Helmsdale and through the harbour. The large fish-whale shape, which has a dramatic sense of action and energy, is a beautiful construction of stainless steel triangles of different size. Situated at the harbour entrance, at the end of the east pier wall, it is very eye-catching – reflecting the changing light from the sky and sea at any time of the day or night.