Excavations at Buiston Crannog revealed that extensive occupation deposits still survived, despite drainage of the surrounding loch and subsequent excavation in the 19th century. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the crannog was initially built during the period of Roman occupation, but dendrochronological analysis of the structural timbers has demonstrated that the bulk of the surviving occupation deposits relate to a short period of activity in the first half of the 7th century AD. Settlement on the crannog consisted, at any one time, of a single round house within a defensive perimeter and analysis of the macroplant remains and the invertebrate assemblage have provided insights into the conditions in which these structures were inhabited. A wide range of organic artefacts, primarily wood and leather, was recovered, complementing the rich inorganic artefact assemblage retrieved during the 19th century excavations. The natural environment of the crannog, the nature of the settlement, and the status of the inhabitants and their relationship to the ruling elite of British Strathclyde are amongst the themes explored in this text.