Dingwall as seen from the tower of Tulloch Castle

Town Plan

Brief History

Just fourteen miles north-west of Inverness, at the mouth of the River Peffrey which drains into the Cromarty Firth, lies the ancient and Royal Burgh of Dingwall, a town which has enjoyed a prominent and colorful past that is still apparent today. Dingwall is in the county of Ross and Cromarty and houses the headquarters of the District Council and Northern Constabulary Central Division.

The town, which lies in the shadow of Ben Wyvis (3429 feet), is not only renowned for its cultural and historical heritage but has, along with the surrounding area, an abundance of natural heritage. Many of these areas have received recognition of this by being designated as sites of Special Scientific Interest, the Cromarty Firth being most notable.

With the current population in excess of six thousand people, Dingwall is a community consisting of a melting pot of cultures, both modern and ancient, of which the most notable connections are Norse and Celtic.

Dingwall was granted “burghal rights” by King Alexander II of Scotland in 1226. Prior to that date it was called by many by it’s Gaelic name “Dinkeual”.  Dingwall has been a Royal Burgh now for seven hundred years.

The Picts, who are the earliest known inhabitants of all Scotland, lived in the vicinity of Dingwall. At that time the Cromarty Firth, on the shores of which Dingwall is situated, penetrated farther inland and the people lived in twig and mud hovels in this rather swampy area.

Toward the end of Pictish power, these people were governed by ‘Mormaors” or “Great Men”. These were the keepers of the peace, the equivalent of Earls, and Dingwall was the seat of government for this part of Scotland. One of these Mormaors, by the name of Finlaec, was the father of Macbeth, and he lived in Dingwall Castle, which itself has a glorious history. Later, Macbeth, who had grown up in Dingwall and played along the Cromarty Firth as a boy, was Mormaor of Ross before ascending the Scottish throne.  

Eventually the Scots, who had come over from Northern Ireland, moved up into Northern Scotland from their original southwest holdings, and a succession of Scottish Kings ruled over the country. Dingwall then became the northern outpost of Scottish royal power.  When the Norsemen began raiding the Highlands after moving in from the islands and coastal areas, Dingwall bore the brunt of their onslaught. Dingwall itself may have been established around the time of Earl Thorfinn Sogurdason (Hinn Riki), ‘The Mighty of Orkney' (c1014-64), who was said to have shattered the Scot’s King’s forces at the Battle of Torfness (probably Tarbatness) around 1035. Then around 1060 Thorfin brought hundreds of Norse men and women into the country and were given the best lands which happened to be around Dingwall. Thorfin also established the “Thing” or Court of Justice in Dingwall, and so the area was renamed “Thingvollr” which means “Field of the Thing”. This eventually evolved into the name Dingwall.

Dingwall is thereby associated with similarly named places in Norway, Iceland, Shetland, England, Wales, and Isle of Man.

The Gaelic name Inbhir-Pheofharian"at the mouth of the River Peffery", which runs through the town dates from the same century or earlier. An alternative local name is Bailechaul or ‘cabbage town'. Dingwall is a market town and use to have a canal and seaport plus two livestock markets.

As mentioned above Dingwall is also infamous for its alleged historical connections with Macbeth (of Shakespear note) but also Robert de Bruce (Champion of Scottish Independence in the fourteenth century!). The architecture inherent in the town's structure is impressive and reveals its ancient nature, features that have been documented in the works of well-known local photographers such as F W Urquhart and John Munro whose pictorial records date from the latter part of the nineteenth century.

Most notable in the town are the various war memorials dedicated to the local Seaforth Highlander soldiers who fought in both the world wars.

Dingwall Town House (Museum)

Some of the more interesting sites include the town museum, which is housed in the old Dingwall Town House. The stone tower in the center contained the original tollbooth (jail) and was built in 1733. Subsequent additions include the façade and clock tower of 1905. This contains one of the few remaining hand-wound town clocks in Scotland. The Museum displays many items pertaining to Dingwall’s heritage.

Museum Hours

Open: 14th May to end of September, 10am - 5pm. Last entry 4.30pm

This is a list of the past Provosts of Dingwall in the museum. You will notice a couple of our Davidsons on the list.

Dingwall’s Mercat Cross

This shaft is believed to be over 500 years old, and marked the site of the old market stance. Its original site was at the top of Castle Street.

Hector MacDonald Memorial

This monument which dominates the hill side on the South side of the town commerates the achievements of Maj. Gen. Sir Hector A. MacDonald as the son of a crofter (farmer) who rose to high rank. This was a unique achievement at the time. Splendid views of Dingwall and the Black Isle can be obtained from the monument.

Castle Doocot (Dingwall Castle)

On the right side, as you go up Castle Street, you will see a doocot built in 1825 from the stones of Dingwall Castle. Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing left of the castle itself except a piece of wall of this once famous and important castle, which was built about 1000 years ago. It was one of the biggest and strongest castles north of Sterling. Some consider the castle as being the birthplace of MacBeth.

Dingwall's Coat of Arms

The town's Coat of Arms represents the Sun in His splendor surrounded by the five planets known at that time. Alternatively it represents five mullets (starfish) that could be found in the Cromarty Firth. The Latin inscription, Salve Corona, means "Hail the Crown".

For more information on Dingwall try these links

    Welcome to Scotland Index-Dingwall

    Undiscovered Scotland-Dingwall