Designating Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm, Highland

Closed 31 Oct 2025

Opened 12 Sep 2025

Contact

Designations

0131 668 8914

designations@hes.scot

Feedback updated 5 Dec 2025

We asked

From 12 September to 31 October 2025, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list buildings at Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm near Dornoch.  

Torboll Farm is a traditional agricultural complex, with the main buildings dating primarily to the first half of the 19th century. There are also earlier structures remaining, dating from the 18th or possibly 17th centuries. 

We think the site is significant as a a major surviving example of Agricultural Improvement period farm buildings. It has an important link to the history of agriculture and land ownership in Scotland, particularly the tumultuous period of Highland Clearances and improvement that took place across the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. The farm is directly linked to the Sutherland Clearances, an event in history that has had a significant impact on Scotland’s cultural heritage. 

We invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.  We also consulted directly with the owner and the planning authority. 

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.   

You said

We received three responses to the consultation. The responses did not raise any issues that put into question the special architectural or historic interest of the buildings under review. 

We did

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have listed the farm buildings at category B as: 

Tuathanas Tòrabol, Dòrnach, a’ gabhail a-steach taigh-tuathanais, ùirlios, taigh-deighe, stall, stàball agus lad muileann, gun gabhail a-steach bothan gu taobh an Iar làraich, muileann-sàbhaidh agus gach frith-thogalach eile / Torboll Farm, Dornoch, including farmhouse, walled garden, icehouse, steading, stable and mill lade, excluding four-bay cottage to west of site, sawmill and all other outbuildings 

We have published a Report of Handling for this case on our Heritage Portal. 

Overview

We propose to designate buildings at Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm as a listed building. 

Torboll Farm is a traditional agricultural complex, with the main buildings dating primarily to the first half of the 19th century. There are also earlier structures remaining, possibly dating from 17th to 18th centuries, some parts of which may have been incorporated into the current buildings. 

We think the site is significant as a good surviving example of Agricultural Improvement period farm buildings. It has an important link to the history of agriculture and land ownership in Scotland, particularly the tumultuous period of Highland Clearances and improvement that took place across the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. The farm is directly linked to the Sutherland Clearances, an event in history that has had a significant impact on Scotland’s cultural heritage. 

We are now gathering views on our proposal to list the farm at category B. 

Read more about why we think Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling

  Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm (farmhouse and walled garden) – seen from the south © Historic Environment Scotland 

How we designate listed buildings

We list buildings of special architectural or historic interest. A dedicated team researches and assesses all designation applications.

Why your views matter

We’d love to know whether you agree with our proposal.

To help you respond to the following survey, please read why we think Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

You can tell us if you agree with our proposal by completing the short questionnaire below.

This questionnaire usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our consultation guide or watch our designations video on YouTube.

You can also watch a version of this video in British Sign Language.

 

What happens next

Please note that this consultation is now closed.

We are now considering the comments received at consultation before making a decision on designation. When we have reached a decision, we will publish this on our Portal, and it will also be available to view on Citizen Space.