The HistoryLinks Trust has produced a comprehensive guide to the historic sites in the Royal Burgh. The HistoryLinks Trail has interpretive display panels at strategic locations around the town, a leaflet, and a commemorative brochure with map. Here is a preview to some of the locations you can see on the Trail, reproduced with kind permission of Dornoch Heritage Society.
Dornoch Cathedral
Founded in 1224 by Gilbert of Moravia. Bishop of Caithness. Its aisles and nave were almost wholly destroyed in a clan feud in 1570. In the 18th Century it suffered from neglect but the restoration work of 1835-37 and the loving care exercised on the fabric ever since then have restored the building. (More detail can be found in the Guide, which is on sale within the cathedral.) MORE
St. Barr's Church
At the eastern extremity of the cathedral wall, a plaque indicates the probable site of a much earlier church, that of St. Barr. Opinions vary as to whether this church was built by St. Barr or Finbarr, in the late 6th Century, or in his honour some time later.
The Plaiden Ell
Located in the cathedral grounds, this was the standard 38 inch (96cm) cloth measurement used at Fairs and Markets held on this site since mediaeval times.
Mercat Cross
Nearby is the site of the old market place marked by the Mercat Cross. Here, according to Sir Robert Gordon, Sutherland’s 17th Century historian: “St. Barr his fayre was keipt in former tymes the twentie- fyfth day of September”.
Carnegie Free Library
Gifted to the burgh in 1906 by Andrew Carnegie. The Building now houses the library and Highland Council’s Sutherland Chambers where, before 1975, Dornoch Town Council met. Across the road from the library is the arch of an old bridge built about 1800.
St. Michael’s
East from the bridge stands a fine old house. “St. Michael’s”. A few metres up Schoolhill is an arch in the stonework: this wall is thought to be part of one of the original cathedral manses, probably the Precentor’s manse, whose farm, Achinchanter, lay to the north.
Railway Station
Station Square is the one-time site of Dornoch Light Railway Station. From here in former days (1902-1960) a train ran to the main line some seven and a half miles to the north.
St. Michael’s Well
This massive stone marked “St. Michael’s Well” was placed by Embo Road by the Sutherland estates factor, George Gunn who lived at Rhives, near Golspie. He had the stone hewn, inscribed and erected here - near enough to Rhives to let him keep his vote in local elections.
Earl’s Cross Wood
This wood’s fine stand of trees and undergrowth testifies to Dornoch’s light fertile soils and climate. Nearby is a plaque marking Gallowhill, site of the last public hanging in Dornoch.
The Cholera Grave
A stone marking a supposed cholera victim’s grave. This area was the site of a battle with the Danes, according to local tradition. Numerous skeletons were disinterred when the foundations of nearby Earl’s Cross House were being built.
Earl’s Cross
This large stone pillar is said to have marked the boundary between the lands of the Earl of Sutherland and those of the Church, but this is doubtful.
Royal Dornoch Golf Course
Sir Robert Gordon wrote in 1630: “About this toun (along the sea coast) ther are the fairest and largest links (or green feilds) of any pairt of Scotland, fitt for archery, goffing, ryding and all other exercise; they doe surpasse the feilds of Montrose or St.Andrews.” MORE
The Witch's Stone
In the garden of the last house in Carnaig Street, Littletown, is a stone with the date 1722. This marks the spot where the last execution in Scotland for alleged witchcraft took place. MORE
The Witch's Pool
North-west from the stone. In it, loal people dumped some World War One German guns - they did not appreciate the placing of these guns in the town square, seeing them as a grim reminder of a war which had cost the lives of so many of Dornoch’s sons.
The Free Church
Built shortly after the Disruption in 1843. The hall beside the church was formerly the Free Church School.
The Square
A gracious and fitting centre for a Royal Burgh. On the south are the old police station, the Town Jail, now a commercial enterprise, the Court House (which cost three thousand Pounds to build in 1850), and finally Dornoch Castle, which is now a hotel. Never a castle, it was built in the 16th Century as the Bishop’s Palace.
The Green
Between the castle and cathedral. King Haakon of Norway planted a tree here in 1942 as an expression of the gratitude of the Norwegian forces for the hospitality they had received while stationed in Dornoch. One final feature is the fountain. with its four coats of arms.
We hope you have enjoyed this journey through Dornoch’s Past.
