Judges for the prestigious Great British High Street awards arrived in a picturesque Highland town yesterday.
Dornoch is the only Scottish finalist in this year’s awards and is battling against two larger English towns – Leominster and Stockton-on-Tees – for the prize.
The Sutherland town has been shortlisted in the Rising Star category, which recognises communities which have worked to change the fortunes of their town centres.
And yesterday two judges, Ana Pasantes and Thomas Lovesey, arrived on a crisp and sunny winter morning in the Royal burgh to make their assessments.
Joan Bishop, chairwoman of the Dornoch Area Community Interest Company, was among several local people who joined them to tell a story as they walked around.
Local councillors Jim McGillivray and Deirdre Mackay, Royal Dornoch Golf Club Manager Neil Hampton, Carnegie Courthouse manager Carol Mackay, as well as representatives from Visit Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enteprise, were among those in attendance.
Mrs Bishop, chairwoman of the Dornoch Area Community Interest Company, said that judges spent about two hours visiting a number of local establishments, the beach and the Historylinks museum, adding: “They were delighted about being here and several times they noticed a good feeling about the town and everyone spoke to them and wanted to share their stories and everyone was enthusiastic.
“Both of them even talked about coming up with their families on holiday for a visit.
“Each business in Dornoch is more concerned with selling Dornoch as a whole than for themselves, and that’s why we should win the award.”