What’s On
Afternoon Tea Week at The Golden Gorse
15-16 August 2026
A pot of tea, a tower of treats and a corner of the Highlands to call your own. Book during Afternoon Tea Week, for 15 or 16 August, and we’ll raise the occasion with a complimentary upgrade to Champagne Afternoon Tea with Piper-Heidsieck. Served the way the north does best — warmly and without rush.
Taste of the Highlands Menu
£85 per-person
Discover a true sense of place with Taste the Highlands, our five-course tasting experience at The Golden Gorse. Thoughtfully curated to reflect the season and our surroundings, this menu celebrates the best of Highland produce – from land, sea and still.
Dornoch Music & Beer Festival
17 & 18 July | Dornoch Meadows
A weekend of live music and local beer arrives on our doorstep this July. Held at Dornoch Meadows, a short walk from the hotel, the festival returns for its second year — bigger, livelier and full of Highland warmth. Friday leans country and western, led by The Tumbling Paddies; Saturday brings a full mix of live bands headlined by The Hoosiers, with more than seventy-five beers and ciders to work through. Make a weekend of it and stay with us
An Evening with Lochlea Distillery
Saturday 24 October | from 7pm | £75 per person
Part of the Dornoch Whisky Festival, 23–25 October 2026
Close the Dornoch Whisky Festival with us, over four courses and five drams in The Golden Gorse. We’ve joined with Lochlea – a rare single-site distillery where every grain of barley is grown and matured on the farm. Our chef Lee has built a menu around it, each course paired to draw out a different side of the range – from the bright Orchard & Oak alongside the starter to the depth of Dark Briar with the main, and a closing pour of Cask Strength Batch 3 to see the night out.
Dark Skies over Dornoch
Astrophotography workshops | 1, 2 & 3 November
Dornoch has some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country – and November is one of the finest times to look up. Join Andrew Allan of Scotland’s Night Sky for an evening learning the craft of photographing the stars, beginning with an hour at the hotel before heading down to Dornoch Beach for hands-on, one-to-one guidance. A small-group workshop, open to beginners and keen photographers alike. Bring your own camera.
Event only, £40 · Dinner and event, £55. Part of the Autumn Highland Festival Fortnight.
Dornoch Gatherings
Various Dates | Dornoch Cathedral
Dornoch Station sits at the heart of a vibrant cultural scene, with Dornoch Gatherings bringing the rich musical heritage of the Highlands to life. This dynamic events programme offers a stage for performances, thought-provoking conversations, and a range of arts experiences, welcoming both locals and visitors to share in the creativity of the town.
Through music, guest speakers, and community-led events, Dornoch Gatherings invites you to explore the inspiring stories, traditions, and perspectives that shape the Highlands, creating moments that resonate long after the final note.
