Dornoch, Sutherland Attractions

As the eyes of the world focus on the Royal Burgh of Dornoch which plays host to pop superstar Madonna's wedding next week Lorraine Wakefield takes a look at the attractions of the area.

Dornoch in Sutherland really is the epitome of a Highland town, picturesque, sleepy and a place where people know their neighbours and go about their every day business without creating a fuss.

However the confirmation that American pop singer Madonna and her film director partner Guy Ritchie are to wed within the confines of the burgh has resulted in a media frenzy and a somewhat rude awakening for locals.

Over the next few weeks the area will be buzzing with press and photographers from around the world waiting for and hoping to get a glimpse of the showbiz wedding of the year.

The international press pack has filled hotels and guesthouses during the normally quiet winter period and many people are hoping the publicity surrounding the forthcoming marriage will lead to a boom in local tourism.

Until now one of the main temptations of Dornoch was the Royal Dornoch golf course, rated amongst the best links courses in the world, but perhaps after playing host to the high profile celebrity wedding it may also become a destination for romantics.

The centrepiece of the historic burgh is the mediaeval 13th century Dornoch Cathedral which was founded by the Bishop of Caithness, Gilbert of Moravia, in 1224. The splendid sandstone building held its first service in 1239.

In 1570 the aisles and nave were almost completely destroyed during a clan feud and the cathedral suffered further neglect during the 18th century but restoration work carried out in 1835-37 and since has ensured the cathedral's future.

Gilbert was later canonised and Dornoch Cathedral remains testament to his vision and is the most northerly cathedral on the British mainland. The cathedral is open daily to visitors who can marvel in the tranquil interior and at the beautiful stained glass windows.

Across the road from the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace which dates from 1550, and is now occupied by the Dornoch Castle Hotel, and the old town jail which now houses a craft and weaving centre.

Other historic landmarks in the centre are the Old Post Office which now houses the tourist information centre, the Court House which was built in 1850 for the princely sum of £3,000, the commemorative fountain bearing the burgh's coat of arms and the Mercat Cross marking the old market place.

Situated on the glorious Dornoch Firth the Royal Burgh boasts glorious coastlines and golden sandy beaches which stretch all the way from the town to nearby Embo.

The beach is just the place for long romantic walks, if you wrap up warm against the North Sea breeze, and just beyond Embo visitors can also do some bird spotting at Loch Fleet, which separates Dornoch and Golspie.

Loch Fleet is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve where seals, ducks and a myriad of other wading birds can be seen as you just sit back and take in the magnificent views to the north.

Although there is often a brisk wind off the sea Dornoch does enjoy a fairly pleasant climate with higher than average hours of sunshine and less rainfall than other parts of Scotland.

A true fairytale experience can be yours if you visit Dunrobin Castle at Golspie which really is like something from a picture postcard.

The turreted white castle, which looks very much like a French chateau, sits aloft overlooking the sea and is the home of the Countess of Sutherland.

Created in 1235 it is one of the ancient earldoms of Scotland but the original keep has been completely enclosed with subsequent buildings which have created the castle as it stands today.

Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to redevelop the castle in 1845, shortly after he finished work on the Houses of Parliament, and he transformed it into a grand baronial mansion after the style of Queen Victoria's new Balmoral Castle.

Many of the interiors he created were destroyed in a 1915 fire however and leading Scots architect of the time Sir Robert Lorimer was brought in to redesign all the main rooms.

The gardens of the castle are almost as grand as the house itself and they were also designed by Barry based on the glorious gardens of Versailles in France. They contain some of the few remaining parterres in the French style with a distinctly Scottish twist.

Just inland from Dornoch is another local beauty spot at the Falls of Shin visitor centre set in acres of peaceful forest.

Here you can follow woodland walks and nature trails as well as marvel at the tremendous battle of the salmon as they try to leap up the waterfall while heading up river to spawn.

Of course the venue tipped to host Madonna's wedding is Skibo Castle, just a few miles outside Dornoch, which is home to the exclusive Carnegie Club and welcomes new members by invitation only.

Skibo Castle was transformed into the glorious country home it is today at the turn of the century by the renowned Scottish/American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie who once said, "If there is a heaven on earth, it is here."

In recent years the castle has hosted the weddings of Scots stars Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor and golfer Sam Torrance and is a favourite haunt of the rich and famous.

The showbiz wedding of Hollywood actor Michael Douglas and Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones was at one time tipped to be there after she described it as the most romantic place on earth.

Set in 7,500 acres with its own golf courses and lochs Skibo Castle is no doubt a wonderful place to hold a wedding and the legendary discretion of its management and staff over what goes on behind its gates make it the ideal choice for Madonna and Ritchie.

Although the multi-millionaire pop star's wedding would be beyond most people's wildest dreams it is easy to see how she fell in love with the romance of Dornoch and there is sure to be an increase in the number of couples following her lead for a Highland wedding.

Further information about Dornoch and the surrounding area an be found on the local website http://www.dornoch.org.uk/ or the Highlands Tourist Board site at http://www.host.co.uk/ which has its own dedicated Highland Weddings page. Skibo Castle also has its own site at http://www.carnegieclub.co.uk/
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