Despite its violent surroundings during Medieval times, the Church maintained a powerful and enduring presence in the Burgh. Some say that St Barr (or Finbarr) founded one of the first Christian settlements here in the 6th Century after his journey from Ireland, and a plaque in the town centre commemorates this. We do know that 600 years later the Bishop of Caithness, Gilbert of Moravia, began work on the magnificent sandstone Cathedral. The first service was held in 1239.

Gilbert was later canonised and his Cathedral remains today as a lasting tribute to the achievements of a remarkable man. The most northerly Cathedral on the mainland, Dornoch Cathedral is just one of many ecclesiastical buildings in the Royal Burgh - there are many fine historical manses and a striking former Bishops Palace within a few minutes walk of the historic centre.

Read more about our Cathedral here.