Discussion

Abstract

The structural remains, the evidence for iron-making and '“working and the, albeit limited, artefactual assemblage recovered from the Meadows Business Park suggest that Dornoch was subject to influences from both Norse and Pictish contexts. Lying on the boundary as it does between the Norse and Pictish lands and in the context of the emerging Scottish nation, the Dornoch Firth area can be seen to occupy an important point of contact where all these influences met. Perhaps we need look no further than this strategic position for the reason behind the later establishment of the see at Dornoch, but it is possible that further discoveries relating to the extent and importance of pre-burghal settlement at Dornoch remains to be made.