North Highland Escapes
About Dornoch...
27/02/2020
Dornoch, once raided by Vikings, takes its name from the Gaelic for ‘pebbly place’ but today has miles of glorious Blue Flag sands, a wild and rugged coastline with scenic woodland walks.
The first thing you will notice when you enter the town is Dornoch’s 13th century Cathedral, which was built by Gilbert of Moravia, who became Bishop of Caithness in 1822. Did you know that Madonna married Guy Ritchie there in 2000? We hear they even enjoyed the local cuisine of haggis for their wedding meal.
Across the road, you will see Dornoch Castle, which is now occupied as a hotel. Here is where the Thompson Bro Distillers begun Dornoch’s first distillery. For you gin and whisky lovers, you can purchase a bottle from The Carnegie Whisky Cellars at the castle.
The former Town Jail, in the charming square, is now an upmarket shopping destination. There is a variety of retail options and the town which has been a Royal Burgh since 1628 has much to offer all year round. The range of quality dining has been acclaimed.
Golf was played here in the 16th century but Royal Dornoch Golf Club opened in 1877 and is rated one of the world’s leading courses. Indeed, ‘Golf Spy’ rated it at Number One in January, 2020, quite an accolade.
Visit the Witch’s Stone, marking where the last witch in Scotland was burnt in 1727, or check out the Historylinks museum. Ospreys, red deer, dolphins, otters and seals can be spotted as you stroll down Dornoch beach.
Dornoch is a popular stop on the North Coast 500 – Scotland’s ‘route 66’ and one of the top coastal routes in the world! Dornoch is also only five miles from Dunrobin Castle and a 50-mile drive from Inverness airport, the capital of the Highlands. There are multiple different walking routes around the town that the whole family can enjoy- town centre to the beach, Dornoch Links to Embo or explore the Camore Woods.
Visit Dornoch for a stylish, attractive place for a really satisfying break.
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