Dornoch Cathedral

History

The cathedral was dedicated to its founder, St. Gilbert and was built in 1224, in the reign of King Alexander II (1214–49) and the episcopate of Gilbert de Moravia (died 1245) (later Saint Gilbert of Dornoch) as the cathedral church of the diocese of Caithness (moved to Dornoch from Halkirk). William de Moravia (later Sutherland), 1st Earl of Sutherland, was buried in the cathedral in 1248.

In 1570, the cathedral was burnt down by the Mackays of Strathnaver during local feuding. Full renovations were not carried out until 1835–37, by the architect William Burn, funded by Elizabeth the Countess of Sutherland at a cost of £15,000 (). Among the renovations carried out, the ruined but still largely intact aisled medieval nave was demolished and a new narrow nave without pillars built on its site. In the 17th century, Dornoch ceased to be the seat of the Bishops of Caithness due to the abolition of the episcopate in the Church of Scotland, but the name has remained due to this historical association.

On 30 September 1866, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland were present to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who attended the morning service.

The interior was reordered between 1924 and 1926 by Rev. Charles Donald Bentinck, with the removal of Victorian plasterwork to reveal the stonework (although the medieval church would have been plastered throughout). The site of the medieval high altar was raised and converted into a burial area for the Sutherland family, who introduced large marble memorials.

The previous minister was the Very Rev Dr James Simpson, who was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1994. As of May 2018, the minister (since 1998) was the Rev Susan Brown. On 9 October 2017, it was announced that she had been nominated as the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. She took up the position in May 2018 and served for a year.

Burials

• Adam of Melrose - body moved here from the church of Skinnet in 1239
• William de Moravia, 1st Earl of Sutherland, was buried in the cathedral in 1248.
• Saint Gilbert of Dornoch - founder of Dornoch Cathedral
• Richard de Moravia, was buried in the cathedral after he was killed during the Battle of Embo in 1245.
• George Leveson-Gower, 1st Duke of Sutherland
• Elizabeth Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland

Organ

The first organ was built by Eustace Ingram and given by Andrew Carnegie and installed in 1893 and opened in January 1894. It was the first organ installed in the county of Sutherland. It was enlarged and hydraulic power introduced in 1909 at a cost of £200 given by Andrew Carnegie. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

Gallery

File:5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders plaque.jpg|Plaque commemorating the 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders in World War II. File:Dornoch Cathedral Cemetery.jpg|Dornoch Cathedral cemetery File:Dornoch Cathedral (August 2013).jpg|Dornoch Cathedral

References

References

1. {{HEScotland
2. . ["The Church of Scotland. Parish: Dornoch Cathedral"](http://cos.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/statistics_for_mission/parish_profiles/402253.pdf). *The Church of Scotland*.
3. ''Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae''
4. (1813). "A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland, from its Origin to the Year 1630". Ramsay.
5. . (8 November 1866). ["Royalty in the Highlands - The Service and the Sermon in Dornoch Cathedral"](http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000459/18661108/021/0003). *John o’Groat Journal*.
6. "Dornoch Cathedral Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland". Undiscovered Scotland.
7. (2010-02-28). "History". The Church of Scotland.
8. . (7 April 1926). ["Dornoch Cathedral. Work of Restoration"](http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19260407/477/0008). *The Scotsman*.
9. Morton, Andrew. (2002-05-02). "Madonna". Macmillan.
10. (9 October 2017). "Madonna minister appointed as Church of Scotland Moderator". BBC News.
11. . (10 January 1894). ["Musical Notes"](http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000467/18940110/053/0008). *Falkirk Herald*.
12. . (25 June 1909). ["Dedication Service in Dornoch Cathedral"](http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000459/19090625/050/0003). *John o’Groat Journal*.
13. {{National Pipe Organ Register