Monument record MHG51525 - Site of possible cemetery, Helmsdale

A photograph dating to c.1900 shows a rounded mound to the north east of St John's Church. <1>

There is a local tradition of the mound being associated with burials and there is a memory of bones being unearthed when new classrooms and a gymnasium were built for the adjacent school in the first half of the 20th century. Two new classrooms were added in 1921, followed by a new gymnasium in 1930 and further classrooms in 1945. The mound was partly flattened and built over during these works. <2> <3>

<1> Unknown, c1900, Photograph of Helmsdale showing St John's Church and possible burial site (Image/Photograph(s)). SHG24042.

<2> Highland Council Archaeology Unit, 2009, Correspondence between Jacquie Aitken and Sylvina Tilbury (Text/Correspondence). SHG24043.

<3> MacGregor, M, 28/01/2009, Telephone conversation between Sylvina Tilbury (HCAU) and Margot MacGregor (Verbal Communication). SHG24046.