Timespan Café, Helmsdale: Riverside Views and Homemade Highland Fare

Set within the award-winning Timespan Museum and Arts Centre, the Timespan Café in Helmsdale is a cosy, community-focused café offering delicious homemade food with stunning views over the River Helmsdale. Whether you’re visiting the museum, exploring the village, or passing through on the North Coast 500, the café is a perfect place to pause, refuel, and take in the tranquillity of this historic Highland setting.

Fresh, Local and Lovingly Prepared

The Timespan Café takes pride in serving homemade soups, hearty lunches, and freshly baked cakes, all made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

• Daily specials feature warming dishes like lentil soup, fish chowder, or Cullen skink

• Expect a variety of sandwiches, toasties, quiches, and light bites

• A selection of vegan and vegetarian options is always available

• Don’t miss the home baking—traybakes, scones, and cakes served with barista-style coffee or Highland teas

The food is as wholesome as the welcome, and everything is served with care by the friendly local team.

Beautiful Riverside Location

One of the café’s most appealing features is its riverside terrace, offering a peaceful outdoor space to sit and watch the river roll by beneath the old Telford bridge.

• Ideal for al fresco lunch on sunny days or just enjoying a quiet coffee

• Dog-friendly outdoor tables available

• The café is family-friendly, with space for prams and highchairs available on request

Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed and creative, with local artwork on the walls and visitors from all over the world mingling with Helmsdale residents.

The Perfect Pairing with Timespan Museum

A visit to the café pairs beautifully with a tour of Timespan’s museum and art exhibitions, which explore Highland history, the Clearances, the gold rush, and contemporary issues through bold, engaging storytelling.

• It’s also a great stop before or after visiting the Emigrants Statue, La Mirage, or Baile an Or in the nearby Strath of Kildonan

Whether you’re looking for a proper lunch or just a sweet treat and a cuppa, Timespan Café is a welcoming Highland stop full of flavour and character.