Heading up the A9 towards Helmsdale, cross over the Helmsdale bridge and directly after is a road turning left, take this and following it down, take the first road to the left and follow this under the bridge that you originally crossed, you will reach the harbour.

 It is best to park here on the main car park and walk north across the beach (quite a walk). To avoid the rocky foreshore, you can walk down a turning left ahead from the car park towards a row of houses, (The last turning before you reach the end of the harbour), at the end of the road is a narrow road, follow this down and you can find access to the beach at most places along this road.

 A path will will for most of the coastline at Helmsdale with access to the beach at most places, so if on your return to want to avoid the rocks, you can walk along this path.

 Head northwards examining the rocks on the foreshore as you go (make sure you do this on a low tide as otherwise you won't find much.