The Rough Guide to North Coast 500 by Rough Guides

Author:Rough Guides
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Travel, Scotland
Publisher: APA Publications
Published: 2021-09-29T10:34:10+00:00

Gringoe Castle has a dramatic view over the coast.

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Dornoch

DORNOCH, a genteel, villagey town eight miles north of Tain, lies on a headland overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Blessed with good looks and a sunny climate (by Scottish standards) and surrounded by sand dunes, it has morphed into a modest upmarket resort: all antiques shops and fine accommodation in the historic sandstone centre, a championship golf course plus miles of sandy beaches just outside. The town had its fifteen minutes of fame in 2002, when Madonna married Guy Ritchie at nearby Skibo Castle and had her son baptized in Dornoch Cathedral.

The Cathedral

Castle St • Visitor times mid-May to mid-Sept Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; services Sun 11am • 01862 810296

Dating from the twelfth century, Dornoch became a royal burgh in 1628. Pride of place among its oldest buildings grouped around the square is the imposing Cathedral, founded in 1224 and built of local sandstone. The original was horribly damaged by marauding Mackays in 1570, and much of what you see today was restored by the Countess of Sutherland in 1835, though the worst of her Victorian excesses were removed in the twentieth century, when the interior stonework was returned to its original state. The stained-glass windows in the north wall were later additions. The counterpart to the cathedral is the fortified sixteenth-century Bishop’s Palace opposite, now refurbished as a hotel (see below).

Information Dornoch

Tourist office This tourist information centre in the courthouse building next to the Dornoch Castle Hotel (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, June–Aug also Sat, July & Aug also Sat & Sun, same hours; 07341 284405) has a section devoted to the North Coast 500.

Accommodation and eating

Dornoch Castle Hotel Castle St 01862 810216, http://dornochcastlehotel.com. For a splurge, choose the fabulous historic deluxe rooms in the turreted tower of the Bishop’s Palace. Elsewhere this smart hotel is more modern – spacious superior rooms with pillow chocolates and whisky miniatures, or comfy but bland garden-facing rooms. The well-stocked bar (particularly for whisky fans) serves “Highland tapas” (3 small plates for £10), while Dornoch gin cured salmon and venison loin are available in The Grant MacNicol at the Castle restaurant. There's also an in-house whisky micro-distillery. Bar food served daily noon–3pm; restaurant daily 6.30–9pm. £129

Fionn Lodge Grange Rd, 01862 811803, http://fionnlodge.com. Located a stone’s throw away from the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, this boutique B&B raises the standard for comfort. The decor in the airy rooms stays true to the name – Fionn translates from Gaellic as “white” or “fair” – while the roof terrace offers superlative views over the course and to the Dornoch Firth. April–Oct. £140

Luigi’s Castle St 01862 810893, http://luigidornoch.com. A modern metropolitan-styled bistro focuses on soups, ciabattas and pizzas during the day, and in the evenings serves seafood dishes such as mussels in red Thai broth. Mains £10–18. Lunch daily 11am–2pm; dinner Easter–Oct Sat & Sun 6.45–9pm, & daily during peak months.

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