Abstract

The period of time under consideration in this paper falls between the 7th century and the 12/13th centuries AD, and encompasses the geographical area at the northern-most point of Mainland Britain. The evidence available for study for the Pictish and succeeding Viking and Late Norse populations in Caithness, and less commonly, in Sutherland, falls into several categories. Specific place-name types can be identified; they are few in the pre-Viking period but widespread and dense in distribution following the Scandinavian arrival. Several isolated finds of artefacts have been recorded in the past, and there are a limited number of new finds to be considered. The settlement evidence, although somewhat fugitive for the Pictish era, can be perhaps more easily recognised in the later Viking or Late Norse period, and certainly recent excavation has concentrated on this aspect. Evidence from burials will also be presented, and the distinctive Pictish graves will be considered in addition to the rich, accompanied Viking graves. Remaining lacunae in our knowledge will be highlighted and a way forward suggested.