September 2007 - Tour of Orkney and the North
Dornoch
Construction of this 13th Century church was commenced by Bishop Gilbert in 1224 and it was consecrated in 1239. After the people of Dornoch protected the teenage Earl of Sutherland from capture by his sworn enemy the Earl of Caithness, the cathedral was burned out in 1570. It was even used as a stable by Royalist troops during the Interregnum and not properly repaired until 1715, after which it fell victim to the Jacobite wars and again became a stable in 1745! It was "restored" to controversial design in 1837 on the instructions of Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland of Highland Clearance notoriety, a restoration which involved completely demolishing and rebuilding the nave. In more recent times the organ was reconditioned by the generosity of one Andrew Carnegie in 1908, completely refurbished again in 1979 with the help of his daughter, Margaret Miller, and played to great effect by our own Cameron Murdoch!
The choir has been very fortunate to have performed here on three occasions recently, each one to sellout audiences, very warm in their appreciation. Hopefully we will return in the not too distant future to this, one of our favourite venues.
Click on an image to enlarge. Pictures by Les Hill, Matt Stimpson and Stephen McIlveney.
Dornoch Cathedral
Welcome to Dornoch!
The West Window
Marilyn addresses the audience
collective voices
Elizabeth Dingwall sings "Obey the spirit of the Lord"
Instructions!
Elaine McIlree sings Barber
Billy Hillan sings "Panis Angelicus" by request of the audience
Stephen McIlveney sings "This is the Moment"
"The Alto's Lament", sung with attitude by Janette Walker
The East Window
The central panel
