Discover Exciting Events in Dornoch:

Your Guide to Local Happenings

Welcome to your ultimate guide to events in Dornoch, where you can discover everything happening in this wonderful North Highland town. Dornoch is known for its vibrant community spirit and rich cultural heritage, making it the perfect destination for both residents and visitors looking for unique experiences. One of the highlights of the events in Dornoch calendar is the array of annual festivals and celebrations that bring the community together. Whether you’re interested in music, arts, food, or seasonal festivities, there’s always something exciting on the horizon in Dornoch.

Highland friendship week, Dornoch, 1200x960
23rd October - 5th November 2025

Highland Friendship Fortnight

Join us for two weeks of celebration, with food, whisky, heritage, golf, music and more!
Spring Highland Festival, Dornoch, Fish, food, 1200x960
Join the Celebrations

Spring Highland Festival Fortnight

Two weeks of fine food, whisky, heritage, golf, music, celebration and more!

Highland friendship week, Dornoch, 1200x960
Join the Celebrations

Autumn Highland Festival Fortnight

Two weeks of fine food, whisky, heritage, music, celebration and more.

 

Discover the discounted green fees on both Royal Dornoch courses too!

Join us for

THE DORNOCH WHISKY FESTIVAL

FRIDAY 24TH - SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2025

Annual Highland Games

Always held on the first Friday of August, the Games are a must-see, featuring traditional Highland 'heavies', including tossing the caber. There's pipes, dancers, family races and more.

Annual County Show

The Sutherland Show is another key event, showcasing local agriculture, crafts, and food. It’s a great day out and includes livestock displays, horse riding competitions, and a variety of stalls selling local produce and crafts.

Culture, Music and Arts

Events in Dornoch include a variety of exhibitions and performances. Dornoch Cathedral frequently hosts concerts and choral performances that take advantage of its stunning acoustics, whilst exhibitions showcase both local and national artists.

Food and Drink

Foodies will find plenty to enjoy with the wealth of food and drink events in Dornoch. The Dornoch Whisky Festival is particularly popular, attracting whisky lovers from all over the world for tastings and masterclasses.

Family-Friendly Activities

Dornoch is a family-friendly destination with a variety of events that cater to all ages such as the Bonfire Night celebration and summer Festival Week, providing fun activities for families to enjoy.

Charity & Community

The community of Dornoch has a strong sense of purpose and giving. From monthly Town Tidies to fun fundraisers, there's always something to get involved with.
Interior of Dornoch Cathedral with stained glass windows and golden uplights
Music, Literature & Speakers

Dornoch Gatherings

An exciting calendar of dynamic cultural events held in Dornoch's iconic Cathedral. Enjoy an eclectic mix of music, literature and speakers from the Highlands.

Seasonal Fireworks Celebrations Dornoch

Seasonal Celebrations in the Highlands

Dornoch is also home to enchanting seasonal celebrations in the Highlands, making it a magical place to visit year-round. In the spring, there's an Easter Egg Hunt, family fun day and farm visits to see the lambs. Summer is brimming with iconic events including the Highland Games and Agricultural Show. Autumn brings the lights of Guy Fawkes Night, the Cathedral illuminations and Dornoch's famous Whisky Festival. Winter sees Christmas lights transforms the town into a festive wonderland seasonal events and the renowned Hogmanay Street Party. These seasonal celebrations in the Highlands showcase Dornoch's community spirit and provide a perfect excuse to visit throughout the year.

Royal Dornoch Open Golf Competitions 2025
Open

Royal Dornoch Open Golf Competitions 2025

Sunday 13th April 2025 to Sunday 26th October 2025
Community Markets
Open

Community Markets

Thursday 1st May 2025 to Tuesday 30th September 2025
Selected Wednesdays from May - Sept
Davochfin Farm Tours
Open

Davochfin Farm Tours

Tuesday 27th May 2025 to Friday 31st October 2025
Come and meet the animals at Davochfin
Food and Drink Market
Open

Food and Drink Market

Monday 4th August 2025 to Saturday 29th November 2025
Last Saturday of the month from April to November
Dornoch Tidy: Pilot Crowdfunding Event for We Are Dornoch
Open

Dornoch Tidy: Pilot Crowdfunding Event for We Are Dornoch

Tuesday 2nd September 2025
6:30pm, The Square. Let's Take Pride In Our Place
Dornoch Gatherings: An Evening With Peter Mansbridge
Open

Dornoch Gatherings: An Evening With Peter Mansbridge

Thursday 18th September 2025
7:00pm Doors, 7:30pm Start, Dornoch Cathedral
Macmillian Coffee Morning
Open

Macmillian Coffee Morning

Saturday 27th September 2025
The 13th Annual Embo Macmillan Coffee Morning
Pumpkin Patch
Open

Pumpkin Patch

Friday 17th October 2025 to Sunday 26th October 2025
Book your time to pick your pumpkin

Autumn Highland Festival Fortnight

Thursday 23rd October 2025 to Wednesday 5th November 2025
Food, Whisky, Music, History and Celebrations
25% Off Royal Dornoch Tee Times During Autumn Festival Fortnight
Open

25% Off Royal Dornoch Tee Times During Autumn Festival Fortnight

Thursday 23rd October 2025 to Wednesday 5th November 2025
Golf For Less This Autumn
Autumn Festival Set Menu
Open

Autumn Festival Set Menu

Thursday 23rd October 2025 to Wednesday 5th November 2025
The Golden Gorse, Dornoch Station Hotel
25th Anniversary Retro Menu
Open

25th Anniversary Retro Menu

Thursday 23rd October 2025 to Wednesday 5th November 2025
The Castle Hotel
Dornoch Whisky Festival
Open

Dornoch Whisky Festival

Friday 24th October 2025 to Sunday 26th October 2025
Dornoch’s Treasures: Cathedral & Museum Tour
Open
Guided Walk of Dornoch
Open

Guided Walk of Dornoch

Monday 27th October 2025
10am - 12pm, Histoylinks Museum
Dornoch’s Treasures: Cathedral & Museum Tour
Open
Recovery to Renewal? Historic Lessons for the Green Energy Transition
Open

Recovery to Renewal? Historic Lessons for the Green Energy Transition

Thursday 30th October 2025
3pm, Historylinks Museum
Threads of Belonging – History of Tartan & Design Your Own Workshop
Open

Threads of Belonging – History of Tartan & Design Your Own Workshop

Friday 31st October 2025
11am - 12:30pm, Historylinks Museum
Traditional Storytelling at Samhain Feis
Open

Traditional Storytelling at Samhain Feis

Saturday 1st November 2025
5-6pm, Historylinks Museum
Tablet Braid Workshop at Samhain Feis
Open

Tablet Braid Workshop at Samhain Feis

Saturday 1st November 2025
1:30 - 3pm, Historylinks Museum
Samhain Feis Living History Reenactments
Open

Samhain Feis Living History Reenactments

Saturday 1st November 2025 to Sunday 2nd November 2025
Mornings, Historylinks Museum
Sunday Lunch at Mara
Open

Sunday Lunch at Mara

Sunday 2nd November 2025
12-3pm, Mara at Links House
Celtic & Viking Embroidery Workshop at Samhain Feis
Open

Celtic & Viking Embroidery Workshop at Samhain Feis

Sunday 2nd November 2025
1:30 - 3pm, Historylinks Museum
Bonfire Night
Open

Bonfire Night

Wednesday 5th November 2025
New Year Hogmanay Celebrations
Open

New Year Hogmanay Celebrations

Wednesday 31st December 2025 to Thursday 1st January 2026
Fibre Fest
Open

Fibre Fest

Saturday 14th March 2026 to Sunday 15th March 2026
Dornoch Pipe Band
Open

Dornoch Pipe Band

Saturday 23rd May 2026 to Saturday 5th September 2026
8pm - 9pm on Saturday evenings throughout the summer
Charity Tractor Run
Open

Charity Tractor Run

Saturday 11th July 2026
A unique and fun event, in aid of local charities
The Sutherland Show
Closed

The Sutherland Show

Saturday 25th July 2026
A fantastic day out for all the family!