Dornoch
Dornoch is a county town in Sutherland placed ideally on the north shore of the Dornoch Firth, near to where it opens to the Moray Firth in the east. Combining the best in scenery and sport, Dornoch has lots to offer the outdoor enthusiast and those who like to immerse themselves in local culture.
Archaeological evidence for the Dornoch area suggests settlement started in the 8th century when visitors, and eventually settlers, harnessed the coastal position and access to raw materials to start a small industrial town. The first mention of Dornoch in official records is in the 12th Century and is the notable home of the 13th Century Dornoch Cathedral – popular with locals and celebrities! Visit the Cathedral and view the stained-glass window which Andrew Carnegie, one of Scotland’s top philanthropists, paid for. Nearby Skibo Castle was the home of Carnegie in the 19th and early 20th Century, which he called ‘Heaven on Earth.’
Plan your visit
A Local View
Get Inspired
The Wail of the Whale
Recount the tragic stranding of a whale pod in the Dornoch Firth in 1927 with this poem.
Contrasting Lifestyles
Discover the origins of an awkward encounter between two residents of Dornoch.
Wellness and Community at the Heart of Sutherland
We're back! This week we're joined by Rachel Paterson from Venture North to explore the importance of community-led wellbeing experiences in central Sutherland.
