Dornoch Castle Hotel

Dornoch Castle has seen many chapters in its long history. From a bishop's palace to a clan stronghold, a courthouse, a jail, and even a schoolhouse, it has been transformed many times before becoming the hotel it is today. Each part of the building reflects centuries of damage, repair, and renewal. The Castle stands on the site of the original Bishop's Palace of St. Gilbert, who founded Dornoch Cathedral in the early 13th century. While the oldest parts are hard to date, the Castle was certainly in place by 1557 when Bishop Robert Stewart gave it to the Earl of Sutherland. Some parts of the building may even stretch back to the late 1400s.

Originally, the Castle featured three towers surrounding a courtyard with a high north wall and a gatehouse at the northeast corner. The southwest tower survived the siege of 1570, one of the only two parts to do so, and the massive kitchen chimney from the Bishop's Palace still stands. The south wall, over 500 years old, is nine feet thick. In 1557, the Bishop appointed the Earl and his heirs as Constables for Dornoch to protect the property from new religious ideas.

Through the centuries, the Castle suffered damage during clan conflicts and gradually fell into partial disrepair by the 18th century. In the early 1800s, parts were demolished, the tower was re-roofed as a Courthouse and Jail, and a schoolhouse was built over the old kitchens. Stories of ghosts and hidden treasures grew over time. Modernized in 1922 and opened as a hotel in 1947, the Castle has been carefully maintained by its owners since 2000. Today it stands at the heart of Highlands, a place where history and hospitality meet.

Dornoch Castle is built in a beautiful 15th-century Scottish Castle architecture with 18th-century renovations in Baronial style. Its stone walls, period features, and classic interiors give the historic feel that is reflected in all the rooms. The rooms include Standard Rooms, Superior Castle Rooms, and Cathedral Rooms, some of which are located in the newer east wing, while the others are in the older parts of the Castle and have views of the walled garden or Dornoch Cathedral.

Each room is decorated in its own style. While refurbished, they still keep the character and feel of the original Castle. The Cathedral View Room is made from part of the old great hall of the Palace, and part of the enormous fireplace is still visible, giving a historic touch to its layout. Each bedroom shows off the Castle's history and unique character, giving guests a stay that feels welcoming.

The on-site restaurant at Dornoch Castle is all about good food made from the best local ingredients. The menu shows off what's around here, like Tain Fine Cheese and beers from Cromarty Brewery. You'll also find Dornoch Distillery gin and whisky in some of the dishes. The pizza dough comes from the legendary Auld Smokey Pizza, but everything else is cooked in their kitchen.

If you're eating with family, the sharing plates and Wee plates are great, and there's a little menu for the kids too. In summer, lunch is served Monday to Friday from 12 to 2.30 pm and at the weekend from 12 to 4 pm. Dinner is open every day from 6 to 8.30 pm. In winter, the restaurant serves dinner from 6 to 8 pm, and on quieter nights, you might eat in the whisky bar with a fire going. They also do take-away from 5 to 9 pm.

The Whisky Bar has been named the No. Whisky Hotel by whiskybase.com, easily a highlight of the hotel, and has some of the rarest bottles you'll find anywhere. The bar was also featured in the Whisky Passion magazine. Jamie, the Bar & Events Manager, runs tastings in the Castle’s historic vault and makes them fun for everyone. Right beside the Castle, the Dornoch Distillery makes its award-winning gin in the old Fire House from 1881. You can't really tour the distillery, but you can peek through the red doors and ask the team questions if they've got a minute.

Dornoch Castle Hotel is a gorgeous spot for a Scottish Castle wedding. This 15th-century Castle sits across from the 13th-century Cathedral, giving lovely backdrops. You can wander the Castle grounds and Cathedral green for magical photos. The hotel helps couples plan their wedding with a complimentary planning coordinator. They also have trusted local contacts for flowers, entertainment, and other extras to make your special day run smoothly. Both the local Minister and Registrars can officiate ceremonies at the Castle or in the gardens, which is a popular spot for both religious and non-religious ceremonies.

Garden Restaurant
Venue type and style: Bright, elegant space overlooking the walled garden, ideal for receptions and ceremonies. A marquee can be added for larger weddings to accommodate more guests.
Capacity: 90+ guests

Terrace Lounge
Venue type and style: Cozy intimate space perfect for small weddings or pre-ceremonies. offering a warm and relaxed atmospgere for memorable celebrations.
Capacity: Up to 30 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

There's loads to do around Dornoch Castle, whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or just a fun day out. You can check out nearby castles and gardens, go for a hike up the hills or mountains, or go to the distillery for a tour and tasting. If you're into sports, there's fishing, clay pigeon shooting, squash, tennis, croquet, and boules. Dornoch Beach is just a few minutes away and is great for a walk, a swim, paddling, kitesurfing, or letting the kids run wild on the sand. You might even spot seals, red kites, and dolphins along the way.

The Castle's own Dornoch Distillery makes organic gin, and there are plenty of other local distilleries nearby, Balblair, Glenmorangie, Dalmore, Old Pulteney, and Clynelish, where you can see how whisky is made. History and culture lovers won't be disappointed. You can visit Dunrobin Castle, check out museums, and visit art galleries. Cromarty is brilliant for wildlife watching and mountain biking. Loch Ness has cruises and Urquhart Castle, while Smoo Cave and Sango Sands beach on the west coast are magical day trips.

For walkers and cyclists, there are trails for all levels, from easy beach and woodland walks to mountain trails like Ben Bhraggie, Ledmore and Migdale Forest, and Learnie Red Rocks. Golfers are spoiled, too, with Royal Dornoch and other 18-hole courses just a short walk away. Dornoch also offers plenty of unique shops and local boutiques. You can also find shops selling handcrafted candles or attend a workshop and make your own. Don't miss the nearby spas like Aspen and CoCo, where you can enjoy a range of relaxing treatments.

Christmas at Dornoch Castle is all about cozy vibes, festive cheer, and good food. The place comes alive with lights and the smell of a proper Christmas feast. Guests can enjoy the main celebration or book a private setup in one of the castle's space for something more personal. Booking starts from 15th November so be sure to reserve in advance since it gets full.

Dornoch Castle Hotel is perfect for personal events like birthdays, anniversaries, or private dinners. The Vault offers a shared 5-course menu for groups of six to twelve, featuring local ingredients and touches of Dornoch Distillery. Private whisky tastings are also available, starting with a welcome cocktail and a guided tasting tailored to your group. For corporate events or larger gatherings, the team is happy to help plan and host special occasions. Just get in touch to discuss your requirements.