Dornoch Castle

Dornoch Castle was built around 1500 as the home of the bishops of Caithness.^[2] Bishop Robert Stewart gifted the castle to John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland in 1557.^[2] In 1570 the castle was set alight in a feud between the McKays and Murrays. The rebuilding which followed included the addition of the upper part of the tower.^[2] The Castle is believed to have been haunted by the ghost of the covenanter, Andrew McCornish, who was hanged for sheep stealing in the 17th century.^[3]

The castle decayed during the 18th century, but was restored between 1813 and 1814. In the first half of the 19th century, court hearings were held in a room in the tower of castle, accessed by a spiral staircase, until Dornoch Sheriff Court was erected further to the east along Castle Street in 1850.^[3] Following extensive remodelling by William Fowler, the castle became a residence for George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland, in 1859.^[4]

Further alterations were made around 1880, including the heightening of the south-west block, and the addition of a three-storey east tower.^[2]

The castle was sold to a private developer in 1922 and was converted into hotel in 1947.^[5] Facilities included 24 bedrooms, and some garden rooms, which were added in the 1970s. The castle is a category B listed building.^[2]

Since 2000, it has been in the ownership of the Thompson family, who also own and operate Dornoch distillery next to the hotel.^[6]

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• Dornoch Castle Hotel

57°52′47″N 4°01′47″W / 57.87975°N 4.02984°W / 57.87975; -4.02984