Dornoch, cap. of co., parl. and royal burgh, seaport, and par., SE. Sutherlandshire, on Dornoch Firth, 8¾ m. NE. of Tain by Meikle Ferry, 14½ E. of Bonar Bridge ry. sta., and 80½ NE. of Inverness -- par., 30,189 ac., pop. 2525; parl. and royal burgh, pop. 497; P.O., T.O., 1 Bank; was formerly the residence of the bishops of Sutherland and Caithness. The cathedral (built, 1222-45; rebuilt, 1835-37) is now used as the parish church. D. has a splendid beach for bathing, and an excellent golfing ground; it attracts many summer visitors. The burgh unites with Wick, Cromarty, Dingwall, Kirkwall, and Tain in returning 1 member to Parliament.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))