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Dornoch Cathedral Trivia Quiz

My choir recently had the opportunity to sing in Dornoch Cathedral in the Scottish Highlands. I am creating this quiz for those who know it well, as well as for those who wish to learn more about this beautiful place.

A multiple-choice quiz by Morrigan716. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Morrigan716

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
140,048

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
290

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What year was the first service held in Dornoch Cathedral? Hint

1104

1239

1387

1098

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Question 2 of 10

2. How many stained-glass windows are there at Dornoch Cathedral? Hint

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Question 3 of 10

3. What caused the fire that destroyed much of the cathedral in the late 1500s? Hint

Burned bread

A dropped candle

Clan feud

English invaders

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Question 4 of 10

4. Of what denomination is Dornoch Cathedral? Hint

Anglican

Methodist

Presbyterian

Catholic

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Question 5 of 10

5. What year was the organ installed? Hint

1973

1567

1893

1942

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Question 6 of 10

6. A statue of George Granville Leveson-Gower is located in the choir area.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Dornoch Castle is across the road from Dornoch Cathedral.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. Plaiden Ell, located in the cathedral's cemetery, was originally used for what purpose? Hint

Measuring cloth

Mounting horses

Beheading

Washing laundry

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Question 9 of 10

9. The last burning of a so-called witch in Scotland occurred at Dornoch Cathedral.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. What famous singer had his/her child christened in Dornoch Cathedral? Hint

Ashanti

Cher

Madonna

Sting

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What year was the first service held in Dornoch Cathedral?

Answer: 1239

This site was chosen as the location of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Caithness in 1222 by Bishop Gilbert de Moravia. It may have been chosen for Dornoch's religious connections dating back 500 years. Some also believe de Moravia chose it to avoid the fate of his two immediate predecessors who were both killed while in office in Halkirk.

After his death on April 1, 1245, he became the last Scotsman to achieve sainthood.

2. How many stained-glass windows are there at Dornoch Cathedral?

Answer: 27

Several of the windows on the North side are dedicated to Andrew Carnegie, who lived in the area for several years. Another interesting tidbit about the structure of the cathedral is that none of the four arches at the central crossing are quite the same height and the four main piers are not uniformly spaced.

3. What caused the fire that destroyed much of the cathedral in the late 1500s?

Answer: Clan feud

The fire was started during a clan feud between the Murrays of Dornoch and the MacKays of Strathnaver. It destroyed the nave and the roof of the entire rest of the building. It was re-roofed in 1616.

4. Of what denomination is Dornoch Cathedral?

Answer: Presbyterian

After the Reformation, Dornoch Cathedral became a Presbyterian church; thus, it is no longer literally a cathedral, but the title was retained to reflect its earlier history.

5. What year was the organ installed?

Answer: 1893

The pipe organ originally occupied the entire width of the North Transept, but since reconditioning in 1908, the organ is located in one place and the pipes in another.

6. A statue of George Granville Leveson-Gower is located in the choir area.

Answer: False

The Duchess of Sutherland installed a large statue of her husband, George Granville Leveson-Gower, carved by Sir Francis Courtney and originally placed in the choir, but it was later moved to Dunrobin Castle.

7. Dornoch Castle is across the road from Dornoch Cathedral.

Answer: True

The 15th century castle is now a hotel.

8. Plaiden Ell, located in the cathedral's cemetery, was originally used for what purpose?

Answer: Measuring cloth

A Medieval marketplace was once located in the cemetery where the Plaiden Ell is located. An ell was a unit of measurement about 38 inches (96.5 cm). It is a flat piece of stone resembling a tombstone, but with two pieces of metal about 2 inches (5 cm) rising out of it. The distance between the metal pieces is called an ell.

9. The last burning of a so-called witch in Scotland occurred at Dornoch Cathedral.

Answer: True

The last buring in Scotland occurred in 1722. In one of the gardens is a Witches' Stone marking the spot.

10. What famous singer had his/her child christened in Dornoch Cathedral?

Answer: Madonna

Madonna had her son Rocco Ritchie christened here in December 2000. An intruder hid in the organ pipes and was able to illegally videotape the ceremony. A few days later, she and Guy Ritchie were married at Skibo Castle.

Source: Author Morrigan716

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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