The Highland village of Helmsdale, Nancy Sinclair and her restaurant, La
Mirage are famous the world over. Together with her son, Don, Nancy has
owned the restaurant in the centre of Helmsdale since 1985 when they moved
from the Golden Fry in Brora,

Nancy was born in Perthshire and after leaving school, became a successful
fashion model, featuring on the cover of many of the worlds top magazines.
Her parents moved north and bought the Navidale Hotel.. Sadly, her father
died and Nancy gave up her career in modelling to help her mother run the
hotel. In the early fifties Nancy met and married George (Dally) Sinclair, a well
known footballer. They had four children, Gavin, Don, Lorraine and Poppy and
Nancy now has four Grandchildren, Gary, Amy, Kimberly and Nadine. Sadly,
Nancy’s husband George passed away in 1997.

La Mirage and Nancy are the reason thousands of faithful visitors return to
the village time and time again. The restaurant with it’s “over the top and
eccentric décor” is famous the world over. Photographs of Nancy and La
Mirage can be found as far away as Australia, Los Angeles, Spain and in the
homes of many a satisfied customer throughout the world. Seated at her table
every night for the last thirty years, Nancy has welcomed hundreds of
celebrities from the world of film, television, music and politics. All returned
time and again to enjoy food and hospitality that is regularly voted, the Best in
Scotland”.

One of Nancy’s closest and dearest friends was the late Barbara Cartland.
Together they would sit at Nancy’s table and talk the evening away. Nancy
misses her dear friend but continues to enjoy many fond memories of their
close friendship.

When you mention the name Nancy Sinclair, many images come to mind but
the first impression stays with you for ever. Her larger than life figure, perfectly
manicured, dressed and coiffured to kill is, once seen, never forgotten. The
other side of Nancy is only known to the many locals who have experienced
the kindness, compassion and generosity of a lady who has, over the years,
helped many a person in need. She would never allow a hungry passer by to go
without food and never turned anyone away from her restaurant.

Together with her son Don, Nancy established La Mirage as the main
attraction in the Highland village and she still remains the figure head, sitting
at her table even after handing over to Mike and Pam the new owners.

Nancy has been a keen and loyal supporter of the Highland Games since they
started and is delighted and proud to be the 2005 Games Chieftain.