Dornoch Cathedral

Dornoch Cathedral is an impressive building in the centre of this picturesque village. The Church was founded about 1223 by the Bishop of Caithness Gilbert de Moravia who was elected to the Bishopric in 1222.

The seat of the diocese of Caithness was originally in Halkirk but it was moved to Dornoch by Gilbert perhaps due to his two predecessors brutal murders in Halkirk! Gilbert built the Cathedral at his own expense and the first service was held here in 1239. Gilbert was the last Scotsman to appear in the Calendar of Saints, a method of organising the Christian year by associating each day with one or more saints. St Gilbert was buried at Dornoch and his relics were venerated until the Reformation and oaths were being sworn on them until at least 1545.

In 1570 the Cathedral was burnt by the Mackays of Strathnaver during a clan dispute with the Murrays of Dornoch and lay in ruins until it as partially restored as a parish church in 1616 by Sir Robert Gordon. Further rebuilding and renovation took place in the 19th century paid for by Elizabeth, Duchess-Countess of Sutherland which covered up much of the early work. During this time the remains of the arcades of the nave were also destroyed as it was rebuilt without aisles. However, during the 20th century attempts have been made to uncover much of the early work which was hiden by the renovations.