Dornoch Tourist Information

Dornoch Holidays

Dornoch is situated on the east coast of the North East Highlands just over the bridge over the Dornoch Firth. The main road north, the A9, runs right by the town making it an easy journey up from Inverness. Much of its character is Edwardian stemming its popularity as a seaside and golfing resort over the years.

It's a small historic town dating from the 12th century surrounded by sand dunes and benefits from a sunny climate - relatively speaking. There is a good choice of accommodation in the town which acts as a good base for a golfing holiday or or exploring the countryside around the town. The town has a Tourist Information Centre on The Square, Dornoch Sutherland, IV25 3SD. Tel: 01862 810400. Fax: 01862 810644. Email: dornoch@host.co.uk

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

Royal Dornoch Golf Club has an 18 hole championship links golf course - rated in the top five outside of the USA. Golf in the links at Dornoch can be traced back to the 17th century. Old Tom Morris designed Dornoch's championship course.

Royal Dornoch also has a second course: the recently extended 18 hole Struie Course - also a links course. Check the Royal Dornoch Golf Club website for more information on the courses.

The Club welcome visitors and ask that they pre-book. Discounts are available in April and October. There is a Handicap limit for the Championship Course: 24 for men and 35 for ladies. Being just off the A9 it only takes forty five minutes to reach Dornoch from Inverness. So it's easily possible as a weekend golfing break or for basing yourself around the north east of Scotland for the many links courses on the Moray Coast and Nairn.

Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Golf Road, Dornoch Sutherland IV25 3LW. Tel: 01862 810219. Fax: 01862 810792. Email: bookings@royaldornoch.com or use the online booking form.

Dornoch Cathedral and Bishop's Palace

Dornoch Cathedral still stands in the town and dates from the 13th century. It is made from local sandstone and after it was badly damaged by the MacKays in 1570 it was eventually restored in the 19th century by the Countess of Sutherland. It has some beautiful stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.

All the historic buildings stand close together in the square. Opposite the cathedral is the impressive former Bishop's Palace which has since been refurbished as a hotel, Dornoch Castle.

The Old Town Jail is nearby and has now been converted into craft and gift shops and an art gallery.

Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve

Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve covers over 1,000 hectares of estuary and coast. It is the last estuary on mainland Scotland's north-eastern coast.

It's an excellent bird watching site with bar-tailed godwits, dunlin and other waders migrating from their northern breeding grounds to overwinter in the shelter of Loch Fleet's estuary. Icelandic greylag and pink-footed geese also migrate south joining the native greylags that overwinter here. In the summer common, arctic and little terns arrive from Africa to nest. In Balblair Wood within the reserve you'll find heathland including heather, blaeberry and crowberry under stands of Scots pine.

Otters and seals can also be seen here. The best time to visit for seeing the flowers in the coastal heath and sand dunes is spring and summer. It's good for bird watching all year round.

For more information check the link right or contact Scottish Natural Heritage, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland KW10 6TG. Tel: 01408 633602.