Dornoch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dornoch
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 Dornoch Sheriff Court (left) and Dornoch Castle (right) |
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 Dornoch
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| Population | 1,430 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NH798896 |
| • Edinburgh | 195 miles (314 km) |
| • London | 600 miles (970 km) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DORNOCH |
| Postcode district | IV25 |
| Dialling code | 01862 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Dornoch is a lovely town in the Highlands of Scotland. It is a seaside resort located in the county of Sutherland. The town sits on the north side of the Dornoch Firth, which is a narrow inlet of the sea. This firth opens into the larger Moray Firth to the east.
Dornoch is part of the Highland local government area. You can reach the town easily from the main A9 road. It also has a small grass airstrip for planes and helicopters.
Contents
History of Dornoch
What's in a Name?
The name 'Dornoch' comes from an old Gaelic word. It means 'pebbly place'. This suggests the area once had many fist-sized pebbles. These pebbles could even have been used as tools or weapons long ago.
Early Discoveries
In 1997, during building work, archaeologists found some interesting things. They discovered parts of an old building and signs of ironworking. They even found a piece of a whale! These finds date back to between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. This tells us that people lived and worked in Dornoch a very long time ago. The first direct mention of Dornoch as a settlement was in the early 12th century.
Famous Landmarks
Dornoch is home to several historic buildings. The Dornoch Cathedral was built in the thirteenth century. You can also see the Old Town Jail and the Dornoch Sheriff Court. Dornoch Castle is another famous building, which is now a hotel.
Golf and Witches
The town is also known for its amazing golf course. The Royal Dornoch Golf Club is considered one of the best in the world. It was ranked No. 2 on a list of top international courses in 2024/24. The famous golf course designer Donald Ross started his career here. He worked as a greenkeeper on the Royal Dornoch links. The golf course is right next to a beautiful beach that has won awards.
Dornoch holds a sad piece of history. It was the last place in Scotland where someone was accused of being a witch and put to death. Her name was Janet Horne, and this happened in 1727. There is a stone in town called the Witch's Stone to remember her.
Past Connections
Dornoch used to have its own small train line. It was called the Dornoch Light Railway. This railway connected Dornoch to the main train network at a place called The Mound. It opened in 1902 but closed in 1960.
Important People and Events
A teacher from Dornoch Academy, Margaret C. Davidson, was very important. She led a group that fought for women's right to vote starting in 1913. During World War I, she volunteered as a nurse in France. Later, she returned to Dornoch to teach and lead the Girl Guides.
In 2000, the famous pop star Madonna visited Dornoch. Her son Rocco was christened in Dornoch Cathedral. This happened just one day before her wedding to Guy Ritchie at a nearby castle.
In 2005, Dornoch was given the special status of a Fairtrade Town. This means the town supports fair prices for goods from developing countries.
Learning in Dornoch
The Burghfield House Campus is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. It is located in Dornoch. This campus is a special place for studying history. Students from all over the world can learn about history here.
How Dornoch is Governed
Representing Dornoch
Dornoch has a long history of being involved in government. For many years, it was part of a group of towns that elected one person to the House of Commons in London. This was from 1708 until 1918.
Today, Dornoch is part of the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross area. This area elects one MP to the UK Parliament. The current MP is Jamie Stone.
Scottish Parliament
Dornoch also has a representative in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Since 2011, it has been part of the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross area. This area elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). The current MSP is Maree Todd.
Dornoch is also part of a larger area called the Highlands and Islands region. This region elects extra MSPs to make sure all voices are heard.
Local Government
Besides national and Scottish parliaments, Dornoch also has local leaders. These are elected local government councillors. There are also elected community councillors who work on local issues.
See also
In Spanish: Dornoch para niños
