Emigrants Statue, Helmsdale

The Emigrants Statue in Helmsdale is a poignant tribute to the thousands of Highlanders forced to leave their homes during the Highland Clearances. Perched in Couper Park, overlooking the village and harbour, this bronze sculpture captures the emotional gravity of a family on the brink of emigration.​

Unveiled on July 23, 2007, by then-First Minister Alex Salmond, the statue was commissioned by Dennis MacLeod, a native of Helmsdale who found success in South Africa's gold mining industry. Sculpted by Gerald Laing, it portrays a kilted man gazing forward into an uncertain future, a young boy seeking reassurance, and a woman clutching an infant, her gaze cast back towards the home they are leaving behind.

 

Inscription

The accompanying inscription honours the resilience of those who, "in the face of great adversity, sought freedom, hope and justice beyond these shores," acknowledging their contributions to new lands and the enduring legacy they left behind.

"The Emigrants commemorates the people of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland who, in the face of great adversity, sought freedom, hope and justice beyond these shores. They and their descendants went forth and explored continents, built great countries and cities and gave their enterprise and culture to the world. This is their legacy. Their voices will echo forever thro the empty straths and glens of their homeland."

In Scottish Gaelic:

A' cuimhneachadh sluagh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean a dh'fhàg cladaichean na tìre seo an aghaidh chruadalan mòra agus a chaidh thar chuain a shireadh saorsa, dòchais agus ceartais. Chaidh iad air adhart, agus an sliochd an dèidh sin, gu bhith a' rannsachadh mhòr-thìrean agus a' cruthachadh dhùthchannan agus bhailtean a bha mòr agus iongantach. Tro an iomart agus an dualchas dh'fhàg iad dìleab aig an t-saoghal. Airson seo bidh cuimhne orra.

Cluinnear an guthan gu bràth anns an fhalamhachd a dh'fhàg iad feadh shrathan agus ghleanntan tìr an àraich.

This statue not only commemorates a significant chapter in Scottish history but also serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the Clearances on families and communities. Its counterpart, the Selkirk Settlers Monument in Winnipeg, Canada, unveiled in 2008, further cements the global footprint of the Scottish diaspora.

Visitors to Helmsdale can reflect on this legacy, with the statue offering a place of contemplation and remembrance. Nearby, a plaque marks the former site of Helmsdale Castle, adding another layer to the village's rich historical tapestry.

For those exploring Scotland's northern coast, the Emigrants Statue is a profound and moving landmark that encapsulates the spirit of resilience and the complexities of forced migration.

What were the Highland Clearances?

The Highland Clearances refer to a tragic and controversial period in Scottish history, primarily during the 18th and 19th centuries, when thousands of Highland residents were forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands. Driven mainly by economic shifts and agricultural restructuring, wealthy landowners replaced traditional small-scale tenant farming communities with more profitable sheep farming.

As a consequence, many Highlanders were displaced from their homes, often facing poverty, homelessness, and emigration. Families dispersed globally—particularly to Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand—in search of better lives.

The Clearances had profound and lasting impacts, profoundly altering the cultural and social fabric of the Scottish Highlands. Today, memorials like the Emigrants Statue in Helmsdale are potent reminders of this turbulent and transformative era in Scotland's history.

 

Who was Gerald Laing?

Gerald Laing (1936–2011) was a celebrated British artist and sculptor whose work spanned several decades and artistic styles. He first rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the Pop Art movement, creating bold and vibrant works that reflected the popular culture of the time. His early paintings often depicted glamorous figures and media icons, and he quickly became associated with the movement's leading figures, including Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

As his career progressed, Laing turned increasingly to sculpture, focusing on figurative and commemorative works. His later pieces include a number of significant public monuments, combining artistic expression with historical reflection. Among his most poignant sculptures was the Emigrants Statue.

Our Visit to The Emigrants Statue

My wife and I visited the Emigrants Statue in April 2025 while undertaking parts of the famous North Coast 500 route. As we arrived in Helmsdale from the south, there was a parking area immediately on the left after the "Welcome to Helmsdale" sign.

 

The statue can be seen from this parking area, but there is a path up to Couper Park immediately after the slightly odd-looking house. The monument's positioning is fantastic, visible not only from the A9 motorway but also from most of Helmsdale. The River Helmsdale flows nearby, and the yellow gorse adds to the vista from the statue's position.

 

The Helmsdale War Memorial can also be seen a short distance away. A large stone monument at the car park marks the location of Helmsdale Castle, the ruins of which were removed to make way for the A9 road bridge.

 

In older photos, I noted six flagpoles, flying flags of countries where the emigrants started their new lives. However, only the flagpole holders now remain.

Key Information

• Tribute to Highlanders displaced during the Highland Clearances.

• Located in Couper Park, Helmsdale, overlooking the village and harbour.

• The bronze statue depicts an emigrant family, evicted from their ancestral homes.

• Unveiled on July 23, 2007, by First Minister Alex Salmond.

• Commissioned by Helmsdale native Dennis MacLeod.

• Sculpted by Sculptor Gerald Laing.

 

Conclusion

While travelling the NC500, the Emigrants Statue is a brilliant place to stop, stretch your legs, and learn about one of the saddest and shocking aspects of Scottish history. On this particular trip, we would visit two Highland clearance villages - Badbea and Borg Village.