Dornoch, also known as the Royal Burgh of Dornoch, is a quaint historic village of about 2,500 residents. Located near the Firth of Dornoch in an area of the North Highlands, it is designated a National Scenic Area. Henry and I stopped by the village to visit the Tourist Information office as we needed to find trail maps of the various walking trails scattered throughout this area. When we arrived in the village, the substantial stone buildings that once comprised the Bishop’s Palace, the old town Jail, and the Cathedral, were so attractive that we decided to stay for a visit and lunch. Shopping was also good here, with Dornoch Jail housing a nice boutique carrying the Barbour line of sportswear, where Henry found a handsome pair of  trousers for hiking. Tucked into the back streets of the village was a small museum, the Historylinks Museum. It was here that we learned more about the village’s fiery past. The village is the last place a witch was burnt in Scotland. Janet Horne was tried and condemned to death in 1727, with a stone erected soon afterwards, incorrectly inscribed with the date 1722. In 1736, nine years after her execution, Parliament  repealed the statutes against witchcraft and it ceased to be a crime. If only she had played golf instead! On the rolling hills of the land surrounding Donoch is Royal Dornoch Golf Club. By 1900, many women were playing on their own 18-hole golf course here, as Royal Dornoch was one of the first to encourage “Ladies’ Golf”. Donald Ross a Dornoch resident, a professional golfer and greens keeper became one of golf’s greatest architects. He designed more than 500 courses in America, and this museum’s exhibition that honors him is a point of pilgrimage for many golfers. Our stroll through the streets and lanes of Dornoch, lined with houses and buildings of warm yellowish sandstone, warmed our hearts, even  on a chilly day. The mushroom and rosemary soup at the Dornoch Castle Hotel  warmed our bodies even more.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. View of Dornoch Cathedral’s bell tower. 2. The Meadow’s House. 3. A charming cottage. 4. A good looking, old fashioned, utilitarian garage.  Center, Top: View of the Bishop’s Palace, now Dornoch Castle Hotel. Center, Bottom:  Henry, with his Dornoch Jail shopping bag walking across the village green. Right Column: 1. View of the old town Jail.2. View looking down Castle Street toward the Bishop’s Palace, now the Dornoch Castle Hotel.