The Kildonan Gold Rush was a gold rush in the Strath of Kildonan, Sutherland, in the Highlands of Scotland in 1869. Small amounts of gold had long been discovered in the Kildonan area.[1] A nugget with enough material for a ring was discovered in 1818. Public interest was sparked, and a gold rush started, following a newspaper announcement in 1868 of the results of Robert Nelson Gilchrist's more systematic search for gold.[1] The gold rush proper began in January 1869.[2] At this stage those searching for gold stayed in Helmsdale or more ad hoc accommodation near the Kildonan burn including the old Kildonan Church.[2]
Two small towns, Baile an Or (Scottish Gaelic: Baile an Òir "town of gold") and Carn na Buth (Scottish Gaelic: Càrn nam Bùth "hill of huts") were built to accommodate the prospectors. However, the gold rush ended by 1870, as the Duke of Sutherland ended it due to a conflict of interest with deer stalkers.
- ^ a b Callender, R.M; Reeson, P.F (April 2008). British Mining No 84 – The Scottish Gold Rush of 1869. Northern Mine Research Society. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9780901450630.
- ^ a b Callender, R.M; Reeson, P.F (April 2008). British Mining No 84 – The Scottish Gold Rush of 1869. Northern Mine Research Society. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9780901450630.