BBC Radio Scotland Highlands and Islands

Our Story

Factual: History

Communities around Scotland tell the stories that matter to them. With Mark Stephen.

Our Story: Series 8

Our Story: Series 8: Episode 4: La Mirage

La Mirage

Episode 4

Episode 4: La Mirage

Series 8

BBC Radio Scotland - Our Story, Series 8, La Mirage

Mark Stephen hears the story behind the famous La Mirage restaurant in Helmsdale.

La Mirage is an internationally known restaurant. It is situated in the Highland village of Helmsdale and is a temple to all things pink and kitsch. Mark Stephen pays a visit.

Mark Stephen visits the village of Helmsdale and it's famous restaurant, La Mirage. Created by larger than life figure, Nancy Sinclair in the 1970s the restaurant is a temple to all things pink, kitsch and camp. With customers returning year after year, the food's pretty important too with no such thing as a small portion and doors open from 10 in the morning until 10 at night. 
Nancy Sinclair began her career in the 1950s as a model with appearances in fashion magazines such as Vogue but her father's sudden death cut that short as she had to help her mother run a hotel her parents had just bought in Helmsdale. The hospitality trade then become Nancy's career but she never lost her love of fashion and the flamboyant. Nancy presided over La Mirage for almost 3 decades. During that time she became friends with romantic novelist, Barbara Cartland, who had a holiday home nearby and Nancy and Barbara could be seen taking tea in La Mirage whilst Barbara's chauffeur waited outside in a white Rolls Royce.
Nancy's son Don followed his mother into the catering trade and has worked at La Mirage since he was a boy. Now in his early 60s, he's still at restaurant turning out everything from neon coloured meringues to fish and chip suppers. Like his mother, he's known by everyone.
Nancy retired from the business in 2003 and the business was taken over by Mike and Pam Wakefield but Nancy would still visit every day and Don remained to work alongside Mike and Pam but now change is afoot at La Mirage with Mike and Pam taking the decision to move on and sell up. 
Mark Stephen visits La Mirage to meet Don, Mike and Pam, staff and customers to find out what's been so unique and special about this eatery billing itself as the North's premier restaurant.

BBC Radio Scotland

Mark Stephen hears the stories of Scotland's distinctive past.

Mark Stephen hears the stories of Scotland's distinctive past from those who are part of its rich history.

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