Heilem

Before the road was built the ferry crossing route from Port na con to Helim was the main way of reaching the other side of the loch. This area was a busy and thriving township. Little now exists except the occasional ruins of dwellings.

From The Salmon Rivers of Scotland, by Augustus Grimble, published in 1899. "The Hope River is crossed by a ferry-boat working on a chain, and that negotiated, a further drive of two miles brings the traveller to Heulim Ferry on Loch Erribol, which here is some two miles wide. Of course on this day the heavy boat was on the other side, and was it was a dead calm, it was a case of patience while they rowed back. When at length the boat touched shore the luggage was quickly stowed away, and there seemed every prospect of a long pull across. As we started, however, there came a sound as of a gigantic boiling kettle, and a few seconds later half a gale was coming off the sides of Fionavon directly down the loch. Up went our sail, and lucky now that our craft was stoutly built, for it took us five tacks and nearly two hours to reach the opposite shore, and though there was a trap from Durness Hotel waiting to take us the remaining seven miles of the road, it was long past midnight before we reached that comfortable quarter."

From The Angler and Tourist's Guide to the Rivers, Lakes and Remarkable Places in the Northern Counties of Scotland by Andrew Young, published in 1857.

The author is describing his journey eastwards from Durness, and this extract starts as he passes Loch Eriboll and crosses Heilam towards Hope.

"The hills here are beautifully mingled with rocks and heather, and during summer are pleasant to look upon. On reaching the top of the loch, we pass the farm-house of Eriboll, occupied by Mr. Alexander Clarke, and down a short distance from the top, on the right side of the loch, we arrive at Heilim Inn, being the first inn or house of refreshment after leaving Duirness Inn, a distance of more than twenty miles. However, here we have a comfortable house, clean and well attended, with plenty of good mutton, and fresh herrings in their season. A ferry-boat crosses between Heilim and Ardneacdie, on the west or left sides of the loch. The ferry being about two miles broad, in fine weather travellers often prefer it to making a circuit of the loch. On leaving Heilim, and proceeding three miles onward on the road to Tongue, we arrive at the River Hope, which river is crossed by a chained boat, that carries carriages and horses."

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