Following the recent archaeological excavations in Dornoch's Town Square, Historylinks Museum celebrates Highland Archaeology Fortnight with this week's launch of an exciting exhibition of the dynamic record of development, disaster and drainage that has been revealed in the ground beneath this historic Highland hub.

Highland Archaeology Services Ltd. are delighted to be given this opportunity to display the results of the excavations, which took place in April and May of this year and which include a number of fire-damaged items believed to have come from the Sutherland Arms Hotel, razed in flames in 1941.

HAS Director, John Wood said "This was a rare opportunity to carry out an archaeological investigation in an urban setting in the Highlands. With the help of Historylinks Museum,who gave us free access to research their exceptional collections and of the people of Dornoch, who have contributed stories, memories, photographs and related documents towards creating this exhibition, we have been able to expand our understanding of the town's past and fill in some of the 'missing history' lost when the burgh's archives were destroyed by fire in the 19th century.'.

Both the story of the excavation, its findings and related photographs and archives from the museum's stores and from Dornoch residents, many of which have not been on display before, will be exhibited at Historylinks throughout the autumn. The museum, situated in The Meadows, behind the Castle, is open 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.

Both the museum staff and the archaeologists at HAS would be delighted to hear from anyone who has knowledge, recollections, images or items relating to Dornoch and the past lives of its people. Contact Cait, Gemma and John at Highland Archaeology Services Ltd, 7 Duke Street, Cromarty, IV11 8YH; 01381 600491, or visit the HAS website at www.hi-arch.co.uk