Dornoch Cathedral — Local services in Scotland

Dornoch Cathedral Come and visit We have a group of volunteers to welcome visitors to the Cathedral in the summer. Welcome Tables are there from the beginning of June till the end of August from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. We try our best to answer your questions and give you an insight into our lovely church. The Cathedral is open to visit in winter during daylight hours where information in several languages are available.

History Here is a snapshot of the history of Dornoch Cathedral through the ages.

Dark days

In 1222, Gilbert de Moravia, a relation of the Earls of Moray and the first Earl of Sutherland, was elected to Bishopric of Caithness. The seat of the diocese of Caithness was originally at Halkirk, but owing to the brutal murder at this location of the two bishops who proceeded Gilbert, his first decision was to transfer the seat of the diocese to Dornoch; here Gilbert built Dornoch Cathedral at his own expense. It is uncertain how long it took to fully complete the Cathedral, but by 1239 the building was far enough along for the first service to be held. Gilbert died in 1245. He was later recognised as “one of the noblest and wisest ecclesiastics the mediaeval church produced” and was the last Scotsman to whom a place was given in the Calendar of Saints.

Destruction and renewal From the time of its completion until the Reformation some 340 years later, Gilbert’s Cathedral stood in its original state. In 1570 it was set on fire and Gilbert’s tomb was desecrated during a clan feud between the Murrays of Dornoch and the Mackays of Strathnaver. Almost totally destroyed, except for the chancel and transept walls, the Cathedral was partially restored in 1616 by Sir Robert Gordon. Between 1835 and 1837, through the generosity of Elizabeth, Duchess-Countess of Sutherland, the restoration was completed and the Sutherland burial vault, which is now sealed off, was built under the chancel floor.

Stones and glass

The Cathedral has many other interesting features: on the outside of the Cathedral, gargoyles have been set in the eaves. At one time they were thought to be evil spirits which the ringing of the tower bells had driven from the Cathedral and turned to stone. Of interest inside the Cathedral is the piscina, a small basin from which a pipe leads to the cemetery outside. Any wine remaining after the Catholic mass would have been poured into the piscina (after the reformation, Dornoch was no longer a Roman Catholic church – the name “Cathedral”, which means seat of a bishop, has been retained as a reminder of the church’s history). Also of interest, especially to Americans, are the stained glass windows on the north side of the chancel. These windows were donated in memory of Andrew Carnegie, who was born in Dumfermline and often summered at his estate Skibo, located four miles from Dornoch. The three windows represent music, peace and literacy, three of...

This is a beautiful, well kept, well presented, impressive building. For the architecture alone it is a must for a visit when in Dornoch. You can comfortably circumnavigate the perimeter that provides some stunning views of not only the cathedral but Dornoch town itself, but care should be taken when moving around the roads on all sides as traffic is present. It is easy to see the importance of this building with respect to the infrastructure of the town and the positioning of other important structures. However, it is when entering the building that the true beauty is revealed. Laid out as a cross, the walls support an impressive roof structure and the stained glass windows set within them provide an array of biblical scenes which add to the splendour. Clearly designed for religious means with areas of worship for the congregation and opertions by the clergy, all overseen by a large church organ that compliments the space. It is a peaceful building, and even if you are not a religious visitor it provides a comfortable feeling when touring the numerous areas of intrest to be found. Like most churches it is free to enter but you can help with its upkeep by donating. For me a very pleasant experience and worth the 5 stars, therefore strongly recommended...

Charming and Peaceful Stop at Dornoch Cathedral

Dornoch Cathedral is a small but beautiful cathedral tucked right in the heart of Dornoch town. Though modest in size, it has a quiet charm and a rich sense of history that makes it well worth a short visit.

Originally built in the 13th century, the cathedral has been lovingly restored over the years and is still very much at the center of the community. The building is well maintained, and the peaceful atmosphere inside offers a nice break from the outside world.

The stained glass windows are particularly lovely, casting soft light across the stone interior and adding to the cathedral’s calming feel. There are plaques and displays inside sharing a bit of the cathedral’s history and notable figures connected to it — a nice touch if you're interested in the heritage of the area.

It's an easy place to find, right in the middle of town, and only a short walk from the shops and cafés nearby. We spent about 30 minutes here and found it to be a really pleasant and reflective stop.

Definitely worth popping in if you’re passing through Dornoch — a peaceful spot full of character...