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Archaeology Notes

Event ID 663129

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/663129

NH78NE 6 79717 89619

(NH 7972 8960) Bishop's Palace (NR) (Ruins)

OS 25" map, (1900).

For (associated) Dornoch Cathedral (NH 7971 8969), see NH78NE 5.

The remains of the Palace of the bishops of Caithness, now consist of a high tower with angle bartizans and crow-stepped gable. A round stair turret fills the angle between it and the kitchens on the east whose vaulted roof, huge fireplace and chimney stalk still remain though the building was heavily modernised in 1813.

The Palace is said to have consisted of three towers the survivor being the SW. A wing projected from the kitchens at right angles across what is now Castle Street about where the west gable of the Court House now stands. The north side of the court-yard was enclosed by a strong wall, with a gateway which stood a little east of the present position of the fountain in the square, and led into the Cathedral grounds.

Parts of the remaining walls of the Palace appear to be of considerable age but the large windows and angle bartizans are clearly of late date probably subsequent to the burning of the Cathedral and Palace in 1570. The ruins were partially restored in 1813 for use as a County Court House and Jail. It is now generally known as "Dornoch Castle".

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; C D Bentinck 1926; W Calder 1948.

Remains of the Bishop's Palace as described, are in good condition and converted to a hotel, called 'Dornoch Castle Hotel'. According to the proprietor part of the fabric of the kitchens and cellar is 13th century.

Visited by OS (A A), 31 March 1971.

NH 7971 8961 A standing building survey and watching brief were undertaken during alterations to Dornoch Castle Hotel (former bishop's palace and jail; NH78NE 6) between August 2003 and February 2005. Previously unrecorded archaeological features included a possible bread oven and a moulded fireplace brace, both possibly dating to the early 16th century.

Full report lodged with Highland SMR and NMRS.

Sponsor: Dornoch Castle Hotel.

S Farrell 2005.

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