Dornoch Cathedral
Dornoch Cathedral
4.5
About
13th century historic church - the most northerly cathedral on the mainland of Great Britain
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
22 within 5 kms
Attractions
10 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
437 reviews
Excellent
282
Very good
131
Average
20
Poor
1
Terrible
3
CCsreviews
Kirkcaldy, UK28 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Amazing, completely worth a visit. We weren’t originally sure if it was open but the doors were only shut due to the weather, inside was beautiful and had vast Beuty and history. It was a warm and cozy place, we found it extremely peaceful and a great place for reflection. The history inside was so interesting to learn about and told a lot about the history of the area, for the fact it was free this is a absolute must do of visiting
Written April 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
j0hnmac1314
Inverness, UK174 contributions
Nov 2021
Stunning Cathedral in the small town of Dornoch, go see it for the nicely vaulted ceilings alone. Medieval graveyard in the grounds has few interesting tales. Nearby you can see the last place a witch was burned in Scotland!
Written April 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
Stonehaven, UK29 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We came looking for the dragon and found so much more! Lovely welcome by the ladies who were there. Worksheet for the children to find not only the dragon but also a mouse and an Angel playing bagpipes. Such a beautiful building to spend time in with an ice cream shop less that two min walk from the back door.
Written July 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie W
166 contributions
Jun 2023
I'm really glad I took the time to take time inside. I was just about to the "oh yay, another church" stage, but there were helpful signs and readings to explain just how interesting the history and architecture of this particular church are.
Although it's in the center of a busy town, I easily round on-street parking close by.
Although it's in the center of a busy town, I easily round on-street parking close by.
Written August 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
itchyfeet2014
Glasgow, UK2,295 contributions
Sept 2021
I have given this a good rating as although the fine Cathedral was closed the surrounds of the building and churchyard were really interesting. I include the measure for cloth stone right outside the cathedral, the Mercat cross and the general immediate area. Dornoch is a very attractive town. Shame the Cathedral was closed, but well worth a visit.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dickd1946
Charleston, SC1,220 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
We were traversing the countryside when we came through Dornoch. We immediately were drawn to the cathederal and it's delights. I am glad we wandered inside to enjoy this cathederal.
Written September 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GerryReynoldsMSc
Inverness, UK58 contributions
As you stand inside Dornoch Castle you get a sense of its history. While it is only really famous for Madonna's wedding, it is well worth a visit, because it has a lovely atmosphere
Written January 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PilotMike2009
Constant Traveller2,119 contributions
Sept 2012 • Friends
I visited Dornoch in Sept. 2012 on a golfing excursion, and was surprised and delighted to discover the Dornoch Cathedral. This is the smallest of the 43 Anglican cathedrals in the UK and dates from the 13th century. Wikipedia notes the Cathedral was destroyed in 1570 and basically abandoned until the early 19th century, when the Countess of Sutherland funded a rebuilding program (good) but made many ill-advised "improvements" (not so good). Nonetheless the result is a handsome building surrounded by massive trees in the heart of the village. It features great stained glass, tons of history and a surprising 1,400 pipe organ. The medieval cemetery also is fascinating and includes a "plaid ell" embedded into a stone platform which was an official unit of measure about 37 inches long. (According to http://www.clangregor.org, a garment made with 6 ells of tartan would cost a day labourer everything he earned for several week’s work, so measuring accurately was a big deal!)
While we were at the cathedral, we heard several marvelous hymns played by visiting professional organist John Bradburn, from the USA. He rehearses and plays recitals for visiting tourists most weekday mornings during the autumn months. If you have a chance, visit the cathedral and enjoy his ad hoc performances.
While we were at the cathedral, we heard several marvelous hymns played by visiting professional organist John Bradburn, from the USA. He rehearses and plays recitals for visiting tourists most weekday mornings during the autumn months. If you have a chance, visit the cathedral and enjoy his ad hoc performances.
Written September 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibcay
Gateshead, UK4,301 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This is a nice wee cathedral. I love the bell tower and I like the colour. The graveyard is neat and visiting is a must.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shiskine1
Gairloch, UK34 contributions
Dec 2020
The cathedral is very impressive from the outside with many interesting features and especially the gargoyles, but unfortunately no access inside the building at all, so found ourselves appreciating the many stained glass windows from outside which is not ideal. I have no doubt that if it had not been closed we would have awarded 5 stars.
Written December 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am visiting Dornoch next Saturday 05/05/18 and wondered will it be possible to see inside the Cathedral on the Saturday afternoon?
Kind regards
Ian
Written April 27, 2018
Cathedral always open unless there is a wedding taking place in which case it would be closed for about an hour.. fantastic place and warm welcome plus free entry.. hope you have a wonderful time
Written April 28, 2018
Are there Sunday services??
Written September 17, 2015
Hi there - yes, there are services at 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The cathedral is a fully operational church, part of the Church of Scotland. I attended a wedding there (fabulous location), and the female minister is a hoot!
Written September 18, 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing