Karl WP Beyer The small town of Invergordon, with its approximately 5.000 inhabitants and deepwater port, is a leading port for oil and gas production in northern regions. It is located on the protected Cromarty Firth, about 40 km north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.
Welcome to Invergordon
Invergordon's townscape is compact and friendly. The town is known beyond its borders in the United Kingdom for its colorful wall decorations that tell of local history.
Invergordon – History in brief
In ancient times, the region of today's Highlands was known to the Romans as "Caledonia" – a border area north of Roman Britain that was never permanently administered by the occupiers. In modern times, the navy and shipyards have shaped Invergordon: During the First and Second World Wars, the Royal Navy used the Firth as a base. In 1931, the "Invergordon Mutiny" – the mutiny of British sailors against pay cuts – made international headlines.
Invergordon's Economy – Oil, Gas & Tourism
Today, Invergordon's economy is broadly based. The offshore industry remains an indispensable pillar: despite many environmental concerns, drilling rigs and service facilities for oil production in the North Sea can still be seen in the Cromarty Firth. In addition to this traditional industry, however, tourism is gaining increasing importance. Cruise tourism, in particular, plays a key role.
Invergordon - Oil Rig
Invergordon - View of the Scottish Highlands
Invergordon – Destination of the cruise ships
Invergordon is one of Scotland's most important cruise ports. Thanks to deep water, even large ships up to a Queen Mary II moor. According to port authorities, a total of 98 cruise ships are registered for 2025. Among the ships are those from AIDA Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, and TUI Cruises. For the city, every call represents added value, despite its apparent visual insignificance. Visitors are usually offered well-organized shore excursions into the surrounding Highlands. Whether panoramic tours or visits to whisky distilleries, they are all well-booked.
West of Invergordon the Scottish Highlands
Invergordon – Sights & Excursions
What would Invergordon be without "Nessie," the Loch Ness Monster? The town is also a springboard to Highland classics: Inverness, the Culloden Battlefield, Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, and the Black Isle peninsula with possible dolphin sightings. Landscape lovers prefer Glen Affric.
Loch Ness - Location of the "Nessie Hunter"
The town of Fort Augustus, at the southwest end of Loch Ness, enchants visitors with its monastic ensemble and the Caledonian Canal. The lock system there is part of the historic waterway connecting the North Sea to the Atlantic. They offer a hands-on experience of engineering history.
Fort Augustus - Lock of the Caledonian Canal
Tranquil on the grounds, yet prominent as a gateway to the Highlands: Invergordon combines industry, history, and cruise-like comfort – with excursions that are among the most beautiful in Scotland. We'll soon be reporting on the surrounding sights under "Invergordon – Self-Guided Shore Excursion."
September 2025