Dornoch

Travel Guide

Dornoch Cathedral showing heritage elements, a cemetery and heritage architecture
Dornoch Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, heritage elements and interior views
Dornoch Cathedral featuring a house
Dornoch Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, heritage elements and a cemetery
Dornoch Cathedral showing a church or cathedral, heritage elements and interior views

Best known for its championship golf course, this charming market town also has lovely beaches and fascinating historic attractions.

Nicknamed the St. Andrews of the North for its superb golf course, Dornoch is a quaint town with gorgeous weather and beautiful natural scenery. Tee off at the town’s highly rated golf course and check out the stained-glass windows in its cathedral. Walk on one of the nearby sandy beaches and learn about the town’s history at its informative museum.

Play a round at Dornoch’s famous Royal Dornoch Golf Club on the shores of Dornoch Firth. Book a tee time in advance at one of the world’s best championship golf courses.

Find the Witch’s Stone, not far from the golf course. Dating back to the 18th century, this stone marks the place where Janet Horne, the last woman to be executed for witchcraft in Scotland, was burned in 1727.

Check out the iconic 13th-century Dornoch CathedralOpens in a new window. Admire the cathedral’s original stonework, as well as the gargoyles decorating its eaves. Inside, see several modern stained-glass windows donated in memory of Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie.

Walk into the cathedral’s cemetery to see the Plaiden Ell, marking where the town’s historic market was once held. A medieval method for measuring cloth, the Ell is a carved stone similar to a tombstone.

Dornoch has an especially sunny climate as a result of its sheltered location. Take advantage of the pleasant weather by enjoying a walk around the town’s woodlands, hills or nearby beaches.

Follow the trail leading from the town centre to Dornoch Point. This 4-mile (6-kilometre) trail traverses several scenic sand dunes, offering picturesque viewpoints across the firth. Look for seals, seabirds and other wildlife.

Take the kids to the HistoryLinks Museum, dedicated to the town’s past. Learn about the construction of the cathedral, the development of the golf course and the town’s ancient clan wars.

Dornoch is located on the north shore of Dornoch Firth, 9 miles (15 kilometres) north of Tain. Reach the area by bus from InvernessOpens in a new window. Discover the many enchanting attractions of this historic east coast town.

Royal Golf Hotel

Royal Golf Hotel

4 out of 5
The First Tee, Grange Road, Dornoch, Scotland
The price is RM464 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
RM464
RM557 total
5 Nov - 6 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Dornoch. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (145 reviews)
"Room clean. Amazing views over the first tee Staff very friendly and helpful Lovely breakfast and evening menu"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Royal Golf Hotel
Dornoch Station

Dornoch Station

5 out of 5
Grange Road, Dornoch, Scotland
The price is RM1,102 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
RM1,102
RM1,322 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Dornoch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (60 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel overlooking the first fairway of Royal Dornoch. Lovely setting, friendly staff."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Dornoch Station
Links House at Royal Dornoch

Links House at Royal Dornoch

5 out of 5
Golf Road, Dornoch, Scotland
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Dornoch. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Historylinks ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
"This hotel is phenomenal. I don’t say that lightly, I’ve stayed at many unique , great hotels, but Links House is truly above them all. The service, the comfort of the quality bedding and linens, the wonderful breakfast that is offered to all guests to mention a few were exceptional. The location ..."

Reviewed on 21 Sept 2025

Links House at Royal Dornoch
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Evelix Pods

Evelix Pods

3 out of 5
Evelix, Dornoch, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Dornoch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Historylinks and Royal Dornoch Golf Club ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (57 reviews)
"Great place to stay, very clean and quiet location. Close to Dornoch and A9."

Reviewed on 13 Sept 2025

Evelix Pods
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

3 out of 5
Red Squirrel Rearquhar, Dornoch, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star golf cottage in Dornoch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Historylinks ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"The only thing that really upset us around iur stay was when we were using tbe hot tub and garden area a local women came around and started shihting at us in her PJs to keep the noise down."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2025

Red Squirrel
3 Bed-sleeps 8-free Parking-5 Min to Beach

3 Bed-sleeps 8-free Parking-5 Min to Beach

3 out of 5
Dornoch
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Dornoch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and balconies. Popular attractions Embo Beach and Historylinks are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Owner was very helpful, great accommodation and site facilities."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

3 Bed-sleeps 8-free Parking-5 Min to Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Dornoch

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fantastic bookshop in town. Combine this with the Cocoa Mountain cafe, and you have the recipe for a fab relaxed afternoon with chocolate and a good book!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Spectacular town. The most welcoming and friendly people. Best golf course in the world.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful, quiet town with a friendly atmosphere.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Dornoch itself is a lovely town, the hotel let it down.

4/5 - Good

Annie

Such a lovely place and we would love to go back and stay for longer.