Dingwall

Dingwall (Scots: Dingwal, Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Pheofharain [ˈiɲɪɾʲ ˈfjɔhəɾɛɲ]) is a town on the Cromarty Firth in Easter Ross in the Highlands of Scotland. It has enjoyed the status of royal burgh since the 13th century, and its local government is the Highland Council. The town has a population of 5,491, and though today it lies inland, its topography used to be that of an east-coast harbour. At one time, it was a significant medieval port, a hub of foreign trading and customs collection. Dingwall’s medieval history affirms its status as an important country town and administrative centre, an extension perhaps of its history as a Viking settlement as evidenced by the Norse origin (Þingvöllr) of its name. The royal burgh is also the site of historic castles and clan skirmishes. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts of which may date back to the 12th century. In 1411 the Battle of Dingwall is said to have taken place between the Clan Mackay and the Clan Donald.