It was built in the 13th century, in the reign of King Alexander II and the episcopate of Gilbert de Moravia as the cathedral church of the diocese of Caithness. William de Moravia, 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 'repairs' were not carried out until 1835-37, by the architect William Burn, funded by Countess of Sutherland at a cost of £15,000. Among the 'improvements' 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 abolishment of the episcopate in the Church of Scotland, but the name has remained due 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. The site of the medieval high altar was raised and converted into a burial area for the Sutherland family, who introduced large marble memorials alien to the original appearance of the building. 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 was the Rev Susan Brown, who officiated at the wedding of Madonna and Guy Ritchie at nearby Skibo Castle in December 2000. 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 is scheduled to take up the position in May 2018. In 2010, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and actress Talulah Riley married at Dornoch Cathedral. They divorced in 2012.
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.
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.
