Dornoch Castle

Dornoch Castle

Dornoch Castle is situated opposite Dornoch Cathedral in the town of Dornoch, in Sutherland, Scotland, a little over 40 miles (64 km) north of Inverness.

As of 2021, the castle was operated as a family-run hotel with 24 rooms.[1]

History

Dornoch Castle was built around 1500 as the home of the bishops of Caithness.[2] Bishop Robert Stewart gifted the castle to John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland in 1557.[2] In 1570 the castle was set alight in a feud between the McKays and Murrays. The rebuilding which followed included the addition of the upper part of the tower.[2] The Castle is believed to have been haunted by the ghost of the covenanter, Andrew McCornish, who was hanged for sheep stealing in the 17th century.[3]

The castle decayed during the 18th century, but was restored between 1813 and 1814. In the first half of the 19th century, court hearings were held in a room in the tower of castle, accessed by a spiral staircase, until Dornoch Sheriff Court was erected further to the east along Castle Street in 1850.[3] Following extensive remodelling by William Fowler, the castle became a residence for George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland, in 1859.[4]

Further alterations were made around 1880, including the heightening of the south-west block, and the addition of a three-storey east tower.[2]

The castle was sold to a private developer in 1922 and was converted into hotel in 1947.[5] Facilities included 24 bedrooms, and some garden rooms, which were added in the 1970s. The castle is a category B listed building.[2]

References

  1. ^ "7 Castle Hotels in Scotland That You Can Stay in". Culture Trip. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Historic Environment Scotland. "Castle Street Dornoch Castle (Castle Hotel) and Garden Wall (Category B Listed Building) (LB24636)". Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Dornoch Castle A Brief History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report". Archived from the original on 6 September 2015.
  5. ^ "History". Dornoch Castle Hotel. 12 March 2018.
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57°52′49″N 4°01′42″W / 57.88028°N 4.02833°W / 57.88028; -4.02833