Church

Dornoch Cathedral

Dornoch Cathedral

Dornoch Cathedral on High Street / Castle Street, Dornoch, Highland, is a Church of Scotland parish church and a Category A former cathedral of the medieval Diocese of Caithness.

Location
Dornoch, Highland
Country
Scotland
County
Highland
City / town
Dornoch
Address
High Street, Dornoch, Highland, IV25 3HN
Postcode
IV25 3HN
Built
Founded 1224; fire 1570; chancel, transept and tower restored 1616; nave rebuilt and restored 1835–37; interior 1924
Architect
William Burn (1835–37 restoration)
Denomination
Church of Scotland
Parish
Dornoch
Grade
Category A
Style
Medieval cruciform, much rebuilt
Materials
Rubble with ashlar dressings
Grid reference
NH 797 896
Opening hours
Open all year, daily 8am to dusk.
Access
Accessible toilets in church. Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church

Overview

Historic Environment Scotland lists the cathedral, excluding scheduled monument SM10828 (the graveyard), at Category A (LB24632; added 18 March 1971). HES describes a thirteenth-century cruciform church with central tower and spire, subsequently much rebuilt, with complete restoration by William Burn in 1835–37. It was founded by Gilbert de Moravia (St Gilbert) in 1224 as the cathedral of Caithness. Fire damaged it in 1570; Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun restored the chancel, transept and tower in 1616. The nave was rebuilt and the whole restored in 1835–37 at the expense of Elizabeth, Duchess-Countess of Sutherland. Interior plaster was stripped in 1924. It is no longer a cathedral in Presbyterian use but keeps the name. HES Category A listing cannot be stored on the list-entry field used for Historic England and Cadw URLs.

Further Information