Over the past few years Dornoch has seen a healthy growth in community spirit. 'Dornoch in Bloom' was started in 1997 and is working hard to bring spring and summer flower displays in tubs and hanging baskets to the Town; this was followed shortly after by a Christmas Lights committee who have succeeded not just in providing an illuminated Christmas tree but have decorated many of the natural trees around the Town with very attractive white light.
2000 celebrations
The Millennium Committee laid on a feast of entertainment in the Square, attended by 1500! Traditional Highland dancing, outdoor cooking of spit-roasted sucking pig and venison, roasted chestnuts and punch were enjoyed by both locals and visitors. A lone piper on the Castle battlements welcomed in the New Year, and the bells pealed in the Cathedral.Although intended to be a 'one-off' event, public demand led to a similar Hogmanay Street Party being organised for 2001/2, with money provided by local fundraising. This first party proved just as popular as the Millennium one and was followed by an even larger event in 2002/3 - reputedly the biggest Hogmanay party north of Edinburgh, with guests arriving from as far away as America and Holland! The event is now an established part of Scotland's Hogmanay calendar and plans are well underway for this year's party - don't miss it!
The Common Good
The Dornoch Common Good Fund, which owns 140 hectares of land at Dornoch Links, has used its income from tenants to provide environmental protection for that land and the siting of interpretation boards. November 1998 saw the switching on of floodlighting it provided at the War Memorial, giving a very pleasing sight on entering to the Town. This has since been further enhanced by floodlighting at the Castle and Courthouse.
Community groups
There are many active community organisations in the Town, including the Dornoch Community Association, Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Sea Scouts, Shipmates, Cadets, WRI, Women's Guild, Welcome Club, WRVS and the East Sutherland Rescue Association (in-shore lifeboat) to name but a few.There are active congregations supporting the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company
Originally formed in 1998 from an initiative of The Highland Council as the Dornoch Focus Group, comprising representatives of local business and public agencies. Its mission is to work with the various groups in the community to develop strategies for the promotion and future development of the former Royal Burgh.
The establishment of this web site and the re-introduction of traditional street fairs are examples of marketing initiatives undertaken.
In 2007, the Focus Group was dissolved and re-formed as 'The Dornoch Area Community Interest Company,' a social enterprise company limited by guarantee, with the mission to work for the social, cultural and economic improvement of the IV25 postcode area. To avoid confusion, the new company still trades as 'The Dornoch Focus Group' and now also incorporates 'The Dornoch Civic Society.'
