Dornoch Castle

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Dornoch Castle is situated opposite Dornoch Cathedral in the village of Dornoch, in Sutherland, Scotland, a little over 40 miles north of Inverness. It was built in the 12th century and is rich with historic value. Originally the castle was home to the bishops of Caithness. Added later were a 14th century keep and a 16th century tower. Riddling the oldest parts of the building are gun portals and holes from small arms fire. Also, in 1557 a tower, now the dominant feurure, was added.

Other types of fire have broken out in Dornoch. In 1570 the Castle was set alight in a feud between the McKays and Murrays. After the fire, it decayed rapidly in the 18th century and was then restored in the 19th century as a school and jail. THen, in 1859-60 it was made the headquarters of the Sheriff of Sutherland.

The building is currently used as a hotel. The hotel has 24 suite rooms, deluxe and superior castle rooms, and garden rooms, which were built in the 1970s. In addition, there are several personalized rooms. There is also an extremely popular restaurant. Five minutes away there is the third oldest golf course in the world, Royal Dornoch Golf Course.