Dornoch Cathedral is everything you’d expect from a place of worship, and a lot more. No visit to the Scottish Highlands can be complete without an hour in this very special building.
Here is the very centre of nearly 800 years history in this part of the world where the north met the south, often with unfortunate consequences for somebody.
The Cathedral was originally built by Gilbert de Moravia after he was appointed Bishop of Caithness in 1222. His original home further north in Halkirk suffered lots of turmoil between warring factions, causing him to base his new church in the relative quiet of Dornoch. The history is described in our History of Dornoch Cathedral
But HistoryLinks is the place to find out all about the past in this part of the world.
Today the Cathedral is the centre of community with a very active congregation. Unusually for churches these days its full every Sunday for the main service.
It’s also a major tourist attraction with people coming from all over the word to see the stonework and woodwork, and especially the famous stained glass windows
The windows commemorate contributions to the Cathedral and its congregation and include the work of Gordon Webster who created many fine windows for the Church of Scotland.
There are plaques everywhere recognising people, and families, and the armed forces who gave their lives in conflict.
The organ is especially interesting to most having been donated by Andrew Carnegie, and refurbished by his daughter.
In 2001 Pop Star Madonna chose nearby Skibo Castle for her wedding to film director Guy Ritchie. Susan Brown, Minister at the Cathedral, officiated at the wedding. The evening before the ceremony Madonna and Ritchie had Susan christen their first child in the Cathedral.
The press reported the event live and beamed film of the family on the Cathedral steps around the world. You probably watched at least some of it.
Most interesting of all, for this heathen at least, is the warmth of the welcome.
Parishioners from the town keep a desk and sit every day ready to answer any questions visitors might have. And there’s a small selection of souvenirs for anybody who wants them.
But there’s no pressure to buy.
Everybody is welcome, to browse, to wonder, and to enjoy the warmth of this very special place.
Our video attempts to show the glory and reflect the atmosphere but no digital images can properly convey the enjoyment of simply being there.
Do you have Highlands experiences you can share with our readers? Please add your comments, suggestions and memories in the Comments box. The more news and views the better!
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