After the Maormores, the Scots gained control of the town. At this point in time Dingwall was the most northerly reach of the Scots kingdom, the the are to the north controlled by the Norse. The town was in a strategically important place with access to the North sea and access troughout the Highlands, but still sheltered, this led to the town being raided often by the Vikings in attempts to gain control over it. In 1035, the Vikings arrived at Dingwall led by Thorfinn; there was a small battle, Battle of Thorfness, and the Vikings emerged victorious. Thorfinn moved his seat of power to the town and remained there for 37 years. He started the "Thing" which is a sort of Norse Court and renamed the town Thingvollr, meaning field of justice, and over time Thingvollr became Dingwall. Around 1200 the Scots took permanent controlof the town.