Cromarty Ferry / Nigg Ferry
My wife and I are no strangers to heading up the North Coast 500 route to one of our favourite places - Grannies Heilan Hame in Embo. Usually, we go via Alness on the A9, but this time, we opted for the more adventurous route of taking the Cromarty Ferry! This would allow us to visit a few areas of Easter Ross we hadn't explored before, including the Shandwick Stone, Balintore, Tarbat Discovery Centre and Tarbat Ness Lighthouse. The Cromarty Ferry Connects to Nigg Ferry Terminal.
Enroute
After leaving Inverness and crossing the Kessock Bridge, we diverted from our usual route on the A9 and quickly stopped off at Chanonry Point to try and spot the Dolphins. Despite arriving at low tide, we still weren't lucky enough to spot the dolphins, which is frustrating as many seem to get fantastic photos here every other day!
If you haven't visited before, there is a brilliant walk near Rosemarkie called the Fairy Glen Falls, which is well worth stopping for on the way to the ferry.
After leaving Chanonry Point, we continued northwards to Cromarty to catch the ferry.
Cromarty Ferry Terminal
When we arrived at the terminal, it was pretty busy, with about five cars ahead of us. We tucked in behind the last car in the queue and waited for the ferry to arrive. There wasn't much space on this access road; there were so many cars that the road was blocked for the cars leaving the terminal. They got past but had to drive on the grass verge, which was not ideal.
As the ferry was on the Nigg side of the Cromarty Firth, we had time to explore the Cromarty Terminal a little more. This area was pleasant with a cinema and a great wee coffee shop named "Slaughterhouse Coffee". I bought my wife an iced tea, which she enjoyed. If you have more time, check out the nearby Cromarty Lighthouse and harbour.
My youngest daughter and I enjoyed watching the ferry come and go. We also took in many sights here, including oil rigs, other small boats, and two large ships—the Enquest Producer and the Excalibur.
How The Cromarty Ferry Works
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All of the vehicles that want to access the ferry queue up on the slip.
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The ferry will arrive and lower a ramp to allow cars to access.
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A man will wave down the first couple of cars from the queuing area.
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If there were larger vehicles, they would cross with those one at a time due to lack of space.
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If two smaller cars could fit, they would take two at a time.
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The payment was taken while crossing, and I paid in cash.
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The queuing cars would move forward and be ready to drive onto the ferry after it returned.
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A one-way crossing takes about 10 minutes, so factor that in with how many cars are ahead of you in the queue. For every two cars or one large vehicle, you will have to wait 20 minutes to cross.
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When arriving at the Nigg Terminal side, you must reverse off the ferry. This isn't ideal as the slip is fairly steep, so you can't see out of your wing mirrors—all you can see is the sky! Look out your rear window instead and keep it central on the slipway.
Dates and fares
The ferry only operates in the summer months - 1st of June until the end of September. The first ferry starts in Cromarty at 8 am, then ferries vehicles every 20/30 minutes until 6 pm.
Passenger/Adult:
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Single: £5.00
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Return: £8.00
Child (5-15 years):
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Single: £2.50
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Return: £4.00
Cyclist:
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Single: £6.50
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Return: £11.00
Car and Driver:
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Single: £10.00
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Return: £15.00
Motorbike and Driver:
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Single: £8.00
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Return: £12.00
Van/Camper/4x4/Pickup and Driver:
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Single: £15.00
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Return: £25.00
Our Crossing
My wife Janette was quite nervous about driving onto the ferry. You need a great deal of clutch control to first get over the ramp hump and onto the boat, but then edge ever closer to the car in front so there is enough space for the ramp to rise behind the vehicle. She managed it, no bother!
The actual crossing itself was fun; we all got out of the car and walked around on the deck. The man who waved us onto the ferry came to collect payment; it was only £17 to cross, and I paid in cash. Dolphins are said to frequent these waters, but we weren't lucky enough to see them on this crossing.
Crossing only took about 8 or 9 minutes; the ferry reversed onto the slip and lowered the ramp. Being the last onto the ferry, we were the first off. Janette found this quite tricky as it's very difficult to see where you're going as your wing mirrors point to the sky. She managed just fine, though, and we left the ferry without issues.
The history of the Cromarty Ferry
A ferry service has connected Cromarty and Nigg across the Cromarty Firth for centuries, playing a crucial role in the region's transportation history. Cromarty, situated on the primary coastal route from Inverness, was an ancient highland pilgrimage route for those heading to the Chapel of Saint Duthac in Tain. King James IV was one famous patron of the ferry route.
The establishment of the Nigg oil fabrication yard in 1972 marked a new era for the ferry service. The yard's opening led to increased demand for a reliable ferry connection for workers commuting from Cromarty. Despite improved road links with new crossings over the Cromarty and Beauly Firths completed in 1982, the road journey between Cromarty and Nigg still required a lengthy 40-mile round trip. To meet this need, the Cromarty Rose was launched in 1987. Built by MacCrindle Shipbuilding in Ardrossan, this ferry could transport two cars on a specially designed turntable deck and accommodate up to 50 passengers.
The Cromarty Rose
The Cromarty Rose operated a seasonal service until 2009 before being sold and relocated to the Bristol Channel, where it was renamed Westward Ho. In the summer of 2011, the ferry service was revived with a new vessel, the Cromarty Queen, built by Southampton Marine Services. This ferry had an enhanced capacity, capable of carrying four cars. However, in May 2015, the Cromarty harbour berth was declared unavailable, leading to the suspension of the service for that year. The Cromarty Queen now serves the route between Tanera Mòr in the Summer Isles and the mainland.
Highland Ferries & The Renfrew Rose
Highland Ferries took over the Cromarty to Nigg route in June 2016, introducing the Renfrew Rose. Although new to this route, the Renfrew Rose had a storied past. Built by MacCrindle Shipbuilding in 1984 initially served the Renfrew to Yoker Ferry route across the River Clyde for 26 years. After being replaced by a smaller ferry, the Renfrew Rose, along with its sister vessel, the Yoker Swan, was relocated to Ireland, operating the Burtonport to Arranmore island route in County Donegal. The Renfrew Rose continues its legacy by serving the Cromarty to Nigg route, ensuring this historic ferry link remains operational.
FAQs on the Cromarty Ferry
Where does the Cromarty ferry go?
The ferry goes to and from Nigg Ferry Terminal in Easter Ross.
How long does it take to cross the Cromarty Ferry?
It only took about 10 minutes to cross from the Cromarty side to the Nigg side.
Is it worth taking the Cromarty Ferry as a time saver?
It is worth it if there is no queue and you are exploring the Black Isle/Easter Ross. If you have to queue, it may actually take you longer to cross than driving via Alness. Taking the ferry is a lot more fun, though, if you aren't in a rush!
Videos of Cromarty Ferry
Here are some videos showing the Cromarty Ferry Terminal area and some cars loading on and off the ferry.
Key Information
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Cromarty Ferry connects Cromarty and Nigg across the Cromarty Firth.
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Two cars or one large vehicle can cross at one time.
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Each crossing lasts about 10 minutes.
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The ferry season runs from the start of June until the end of September and runs every 30 minutes from 8 am to 6 pm.
Conclusion
Taking the ferry instead of the main A9 route was a fun wee adventure. It was very interesting to see the ferry arrive and leave before our turn and take in the sights around Cromarty. The little cafe at the terminal is a lovely wee place with friendly staff.
Getting on and off the ferry can be a little stressful, but overall, we really enjoyed our trip on the Cromarty Ferry.
All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.
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