New ‘Royal Dornoch and Cathedral Tour’ for cruise passengers expected to bring economic boost to the town
Cruise ship passengers docking at Invergordon are being offered a new half-day coach tour of a historic Sutherland town.
The ‘Royal Dornoch and Cathedral Tour’ is expected to bring hundreds of visitors to the town this summer, providing an economic boost to local businesses.
Until now, Dornoch has been added as a “photo stop” to scheduled cruise ship tours, with visitors spending little time in the town.
The first of 18 bookings for the new tour will take place today Wednesday (May 7) when 44 passengers arrived in Dornoch from the Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle Class cruise ship operated by the Holland America Line.
A group of local people are behind the initiative, supported by Pat Murray, a Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association-trained guide with 17 years’ experience of guiding from the cruise ship ports in the Highlands.
She said: “I am convinced that the Royal Dornoch tours offer will be a resounding success for the cathedral, Historylinks Museum and local businesses.
“A further 17 tours have already been booked by shore agencies looking for an exciting new venue to offer as an alternative to the overcrowded and repetitive routes to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness, for example.”
Ms Murray continued: “The visitors will have an exclusive tour of Dornoch Cathedral, led by our newly trained volunteer guides, who have been working over the winter months to prepare a fascinating commentary on the story of our 801-year-old cathedral.
“They will then be escorted to Historylinks, the newly upgraded 5-star museum, for a short film and time to browse the wonderful selection of exhibits.
“They will then all have about an hour to enjoy the delights of Dornoch, from the town's shops, bars and coffee venues to the wonderful beach and golf course walks and views. It will be a relaxing, welcoming, rather exclusive visit, far from the madding crowds!”
Ms Murray revealed that full-day tours have also been suggested to shore agencies to offer to the ships.
“This would mean staying in Dornoch for lunch before visiting a castle or distillery or taking a panoramic Highland tour via Lairg and the Falls of Shin and the Struie,” she said.The North Highlands have so much to offer, right on Invergordon’s doorstep, saving visitors long coach journeys to more distant destinations.”
Meanwhile, Dornoch Cathedral fundraising convener John McMurray is appealing for people to volunteer to become trained tour guides.
He said: “We are seeking the assistance of local people to become tour guides so that this project can grow and meet the increasing demand.
“If you have an interest in history and the local area, we would like you to get involved - you do not need to be a churchgoer.
“The commitment required is to learn the script and then be available when the cruise ship passengers arrive and spend two hours with them (one hour with each group of 22).
“It will be fun and rewarding to meet people visiting Dornoch from all over the world. We have six guides and would like to at least double that."
