Dornoch Castle facts for kids
Dornoch Castle is a historic building located in the town of Dornoch, in Sutherland, Scotland. It stands right across from the beautiful Dornoch Cathedral. This castle is about 40 miles (64 km) north of Inverness. Today, Dornoch Castle operates as a family-run hotel, offering a unique place to stay with 24 rooms.
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Castle's Story: A Journey Through Time
Dornoch Castle has a long and interesting history, stretching back over 500 years.
Building the Castle
The castle was first built around the year 1500. It was originally the home of the bishops of Caithness, important church leaders of the time. Imagine living in a grand castle like this!
Changes and Challenges
Over the centuries, the castle saw many changes. In 1557, Bishop Robert Stewart gave the castle to John Gordon, who was the 11th Earl of Sutherland.
Just a few years later, in 1570, the castle faced a big challenge. It was set on fire during a disagreement between two powerful families, the McKays and the Murrays. After this event, the castle was rebuilt, and the upper part of its main tower was added.
New Uses for the Castle
During the 1700s, the castle started to fall into disrepair. But it got a new life in 1813 and 1814 when it was restored. At this time, it was used as a school and even a jail!
Later, in 1859-1860, the castle became a court house. It was also made the main office for the Sheriff of Sutherland, a legal official. A famous architect named William Fowler made many changes to the building during this period.
More changes happened around 1880. Parts of the castle were made taller, and a new three-storey tower was added on the east side. After these updates, the castle was used as a hunting lodge, a place for people to stay when they came to hunt.
Dornoch Castle Today: A Hotel with History
In 1922, the castle became privately owned. Then, in 1947, it was transformed into a hotel. Today, it is known as the Dornoch Castle Hotel. It has 24 rooms, including special suites and garden rooms that were built in the 1970s. The hotel also has a restaurant where guests can enjoy meals.
The castle is considered a very important historical building and is listed as a category B listed building. This means it has special protection to preserve its history and architecture.
A Spooky Tale?
Some people believe that Dornoch Castle is haunted! There's a story that the ghost of a man named Andrew McCornish roams the castle. He was a person who was put to death a long time ago.
