Dornoch

Overview

Dornoch is a smart, sunny holiday resort on the east coast of the northern Highlands, famed for its cathedral and championship golf course - one of the best in the world.

On the north side of the Dornoch Firth, on the east coast that runs from the Moray Firth up onto Sutherland, Dornoch enjoys the status of a well-to-do holiday resort. It is blessed with a particularly sunny climate (in Scottish terms!) thanks to its sheltered position, and has miles of sandy beaches to match. The extensive sand dunes in the area are perfect for links golf, and the Royal Dornoch championship course is up there with Pebble Beach et al, being ranked 13th in the world. The coast is also a favourite with wildlife, such as seals, and a sizeable population of both breeding and wintering birds.

Dating from the 12th century, the town is steeped in history. The impressive cathedral was founded in 1224, and though the Mackay clan sacked it in 1570, it was restored by the Countess of Sutherland in 1835, and again in the 20th century. Top Scots philanthropist Andrew Carnegie paid for some of the stained-glass windows. Other buildings of note are the 16th century Bishops Palace and the Old Town jail. The Historylinks Museum chronicles the history of the town. The town is also reputedly where the last witch in Scotland was burnt, in 1722 - a fact commemorated by the Witch's Stone.