The town of Dornoch is an urban area that is larger than a village but smaller than a city. Unless Dornoch grows to a size where it is elevated to a higher administrative status it is effectively a parish but to differentiate between the two at the turn of the last century towns were granted the right to allow their elected representatives call themselves a "Town Council" and to, from their number, elect a Mayor. Other than that they have the same legal rights and responsibilities as a Parish Council.