I have become fascinated with the lovely town of Dornoch and want to visit on our next trip to Scotland. It is only an hour north of Inverness, and in a beautiful area apparently. I've done lots of research, but has anyone been there who can recommend accommodations, restaurants, drives, hints on golfing, is Oct. too late in the season, or any info you can help me with.? THANKS

Dornoch is terrific - be sure to visit the Cathedral. The two times I've been there I've stayed at the Dornoch Castle Hotel. But there are several other places just as good or even better in the town.

The rooms at Dornoch Castle vary a great deal - some are roomy and charming, some are small and modernish in a sort of garden annex. The annex rooms are not "charming", but they are less expensive and have doors directly out into the gardens.

The golf course is one of the best in the world - you will love it.

Nearby you can visit Dunrobbin Castle, or drive farther north to see some really interesting neolithic burial cairns and standing stones. Inland there are some terrific waterfalls and rivers with easy access for walking.

October should be fine - both of my visits were in June when it was light until a about midnight. You won't have that in Oct. but autumn up north can be lovely.

The Dornoch Castle Hotel is not the height of luxury but it has character in sackfulls. It comes complete with a ghost.
October should be fine, few tourists and no midgies.

October is a great time to be in Dornoch. And the golf will be super. Call ahead for reservations on the Championship Course (tel. 01862 810219). There are several good B & B's in Dornoch.

I highly recommend a book entitled "A Season in Dornoch" by Lorne Rubenstein (Simon & Schuster). A stirring account of golf and life in the Scottish Highlands.

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

Dornoch can be used for an absolutely wonderful day trip (long day, and in October leave early as it gets dark quickly). Head west to Bonar then northwest on the A838 past Loch Shin to Kinlochbervie on the remote northwest Sutherland coast. Continue to Durness on the north coast, stopping to prowl around Smoo Cave (watch out for smugglers or aging Viking raiders.) Then a little past the bottom of Loch Eribol, turn south on a (number if any?) single track road toward Altnaharra, past Loch Hope and Ben Hope. About 10 miles down this road you will pass the wonderful prehistoric "broch" or fortified fort, Dun Dornadilla. Imagine folks building this thing a couple thousand years ago. Continue south to Lairg than back to Dornoch.

This route exposes you to some (IMO) of the wildest Highland country in Scotland - remote, romantic (if you go for bleak) and lots of history. Definitely off the beaten path.

Oh, also have to mention a shorter daytrip from Dornoch - just over the Firth to Tain, home of Glenmorangie, the gold standard of Highland malt whiskies (just my opinion.) I think they offer distillery tours, or just head to the tasting room. Slainte!

Wasn't Dornoch where Madonna got married and had her son christened?

Yes, Skibo Castle (Andrew Carnegie) is near Dornoch.

Dornoch is also the location of the last witch burning in Scotland. No relation to Madonna.

When we were kids we went on holiday 6 years in a row to embo, just outside Dornoch to stay in a caravan at "Grannie's hielan' hame". I've yet to see beaches like it. Nowadays it's much more upmarket but still worth the visit.

Dornoch is a lovely little market town with lots of nice B&Bs around. I think you've had all the best advice. I haven't stayed in the town for 20 years (and yes, it was the Dornoch Castle).

Golf will be fine unless it's pouring rain (and they say it never rains on a gold course).

But Gardyloo, where do you get the witch story? I thought it was at Dunning, the last witch burning?

Sheila, I first encountered the witch story while I was doing some postgrad research around the Dornoch Firth around 30 years ago (Phase III to be precise, if you get my meaning.) There's a stone, like a grave marker, commemorating the event in 1722. The locals certainly promote it - see http://www.visitdornoch.com/pages/witch.html. A quick search tells me the Dunning witch got it 50 years earlier.

It's just amazing the way stuff gets stuck in your brain, isn't it? (she said smugly)