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Invergordon Cruise Port 2026 – All You Need to Know

Invergordon is a busy cruise port thanks to having some of the deepest water in the UK right alongside the town. That means no tender boats are needed and the port can accommodate even the biggest cruise ships.

Invergordon Cruise Port is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands with easy access to Loch Ness, Inverness and a wealth of fantastic places to visit from castles to countryside.

If you are coming to Invergordon on a cruise ship then check out this guide for all you need to know in advance of your visit.

I’ve shared everything relating to the port, getting around, the town, shore excursion reviews, things to do and much more.

Check out my Invergordon cruise port guide so you are prepared for your visit – we look forward to welcoming you.

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I’ve worked as a Tour Guide and Pier Co-Ordinator in Invergordon Port for over 15 years now. I’ve taken nearly all of the tours and now I co-ordinate all the tours, guides and drivers on the pier.

Make your visit to Invergordon plain sailing with guidance from someone who knows

Invergordon Cruise Port Quick Facts

Port Depth13.5 metres
Tender Boats?No – all ships at all quays berth alongside
Ships At OnceUp to 3
Walk to Town5-10 minutes from Service Base Pier, shuttle bus from Saltburn Pier and Quay West
Cruise SeasonApril to October
Distance to Inverness26 miles

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Invergordon Terminal

Invergordon Cruise Port Location & Geography

  • Invergordon Cruise Port is located in the Cromarty Firth, a sheltered inlet of the North Sea. It’s location makes it able to cope with ships in all weathers.
  • The entrance channel is half a mile wide, and passes between two sandstone headlands known as The Sutors
  • Invergordon is a busy port dealing with oil and gas work, renewable energy project and of course cruise ships. On your way in you will probably cruise very close to some oil rigs!
  • 26 miles North of Inverness
  • 98 miles South of John O’Groats
  • On the East Coast of Scotland

It is part of Ross-Shire, which is in the Highlands of Scotland. The Highlands make up one-third of Scotland’s landmass.

Invergordon Cruise Port Location Map

Why Do Cruise Ships Choose Invergordon Cruise Port?

  • Invergordon doesn’t require the use of tender boats meaning it is accessible in all sorts of weather
  • The water depth means the port can easily accommodate the largest ships
  • It’s location means it it ideally placed for tours visiting Inverness, Loch Ness, tours going West and North too
  • The shelter in the port means it can take ships when other ports cannot
  • Inververgordon can take 3 ships at any one time

invergordon cruise port britannia

Invergordon Cruise Schedule

  • Season runs April-October (typically 100+ ship calls annually)
  • Ships that are calling into Invergordon in 2026 include Majestic Princess, Aida Bella and Aida Vita, Mein Schiff, MSC Prescioza and many more including our first Virgin Cruise Line call.
  • First ship: early April
  • Last ship: mid-October
  • Link to current season schedule on Port of Cromarty Firth website

invergordon museum things to do in invergordon

Invergordon Cruise Port History


Early Development and History of the Port

Invergordon has been a trading harbour since the mid-1700s. After becoming a naval base in 1912 Invergordon was very well used as a naval base in both world wars. All the largest naval ships were here and many facilities were built in Invergordon to entertain those working on the ships. There were several cinemas, a theatre, and various sporting complexes.

Invergordon had a large aluminum smelter built in the 1970s. It promised a wealth of jobs for the locals. However, within 10 years the smelter had closed due to the high running costs. It was a traumatic experience for the town. A large grain distillery was also built – at the time the largest in Europe. The distillery still operates today. If you wander through Invergordon you may be able to get a whiff of it!

Recent Developments and Renovations

More recently Invergordon has become a busy cruise ship destination offering a wide range of shore excursions. The port can accept the largest cruise ships thanks to a deep section of water beside the shore and a deep channel running through the Cromarty Firth.

Cruise ships visiting the Cromarty Firth will likely pass several oil rigs. These are not drilling for oil but are either stored or waiting to go back out to the North Sea oil fields. There are also several businesses that support the energy industry in the Cromarty Firth, including Technip which specialise in laying underground pipelines.

In 2023 it was announced that Invergordon had been chosen as a green port. This means there will be extra investment and opportunities relating to renewable energy projects for the area.

There had been plans for a cruise ship terminal to be built. Given the green port focus, this now seems less likely.

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Invergordon Cruise Port Weather

Here is the current weather and the weather for the next few days in Invergordon.

Invergordon Cruise Port Tide Times

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Approaching Invergordon Cruise Port – What To Look Out For

Entering The Cromarty Firth

  • Dolphin spotting opportunity – Bottlenose dolphins at firth entrance. These are the largest Bottlenose Dolphins in the UK.
  • Entrance through narrow channel between The Sutors
  • Look for concrete defense structures on headlands left over from the Second World War.
  • The pilot joins at the entrance to the Cromarty Firth.
  • You will pass close to oil rigs as you cruise through the Cromarty Firth.
  • Pass Saltburn Pier (mile-long wooden structure)
  • Pass Admiralty Pier (historic 1914 naval base pier)

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Cruise ship berthed at the Service Base seen from renewable energy pier

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock – Invergordon?

Service Base

  • This pier is alongside the industrial area of the port.
  • Nearly all the ships will dock there in 2026.
  • It is a concrete pier that the ships moor alongside.
  • It is a 5-10 minute walk to Invergordon town from the ship.

Saltburn Pier

  • 1-mile long wooden pier
  • Used for smaller ships on days when there are two ships in
  • Guests are not allowed to walk along the pier into Invergordon
  • The free shuttle bus runs throughout the day to take passengers into town and back

Quay West

  • Deep water berth near wind turbine area
  • Guests cannot walk into Invergordon
  • There is a free shuttle bus into Invergordon Town

How to Know Where Your Ship Docks

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Invergordon Port Facilities

At the Cruise Berth

  • Tourist information point – staffed by local volunteers
  • Toilets
  • Small gift shop (whisky, Nessie items and more)

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Best Shore Excursions from Invergordon Cruise Port

The most popular shore excursions from Invergordon Cruise Port are;

Loch Ness – either a visit to the castle, or a cruise on Loch Ness, or a scenic drive by Loch Ness or a full day tour that includes Loch Ness

Inverness On Your Own – a transfer to Inverness provided by the ship direct to Inverness city centre and then returning after 3-4 hours of free time (depending on the cruise line)

Cawdor Castle – a very popular and beautiful Castle located to the East of Inverness. This is a wonderful place to visit if you love gardens as well.

Check out my guide to taking shore excursions from Invergordon with everything you need to know before taking a tour.

You might also like these shore excursion reviews. I’ve included details about timings, walking distances, accessibility and more;

How to Get from Your Ship to the Coach Park (for Cruise Line Organised Excursions Only)

  • Go left when exiting the gangway and secure area beside the ship. Follow the walkway with a large green building on your right and the sea on your left.
  • Allow 10 minutes to reach the far end of the coach park if you walk at a reasonable pace
  • There is no seating, shelter or toilets in the coach park
  • The coach park is very exposed to the wind and elements
  • Coaches cannot generally run their engines while they are parked which means coaches can get really hot in warmer weather (yes we do get it!)

For Cruise Line Organised Excursions

  • Check your ticket for the meeting point. Many ships meet on board to get stickers with tour numbers before leaving the ship. Your ticket will also have the meeting time.
  • Wait for your coach number announcement
  • Do NOT arrive before your boarding time as you won’t be able to board your coach. Many of our coaches travel for several hours to reach the port so they are not there early, and the drivers must have a legal work break before loading guests.
  • For most afternoon tours the coaches, drivers and guides will have most likely taken a tour in the morning. We have to give the drivers and guides a lunch break before we can load the coaches again.
  • Pier and ship staff will direct you to your coach.
  • Do not enter in the parking area, follow the walkways to ensure you stay safe and away from moving vehicles

Check out my video below to see the route and see pictures of the route

invergordon cruise port ships excursions

Walking Route to the Coach Park From the Ship Video (For Cruise Line Organised Tours Only)

If you are taking a ship-organised tour then you need to turn left when you exit the gangplank and walk to the coach park. Follow the signs for ship excursions.

invergordon cruise port coach park walk

Then walk to the coach park. You won’t be allowed into the coach park until your coach is boarding. This is to keep you safe and minimise the number of people in an area where vehicles are moving around.

There is no cover or seating in this area or the coach park.

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Things to Do In Invergordon

Invergordon is a very small town with a population of around 3600 people. That means there are often more people on a cruise ship than live in the town.

There are a number of things to do in Invergordon including;

Visit the free Invergordon Museum – this covers the naval history of Invergordon port as well as general history about the area

Follow the Mural Trail – there are 12 murals around the town of Invergordon. Each of them tells a local story and they were designed by artists in partnership with the local community. My favourite is the one at the railway station.

Visit the Community Woodlands – the woodlands are very popular with local dog walkers and are maintained by the community. They are small but a good place to spot some birds or to have a picnic. When you exit the port secure area take a right and keep walking. Go past the old Admiralty pier and the museum around the corner. Follow along until you reach a very long wooden pier – Salturn Woods will be on your left.

Visit Invergordon Shops and Cafes – Invergordon has a small selection of shops selling everything from locally made crafts to Scottish delights such as whisky, Tunnocks biscuits (the most popular brand in Scotland) as well as all the essentials you might need like toiletries, medicines and ice cream! There are a couple of small cafes in Invergordon too. Both have free WIFI. Rashos does good food all day long, The Clootie McToot is a community cafe with profits being invested back into the community.

Invergordon Golf Club – sitting just above the Cromarty Firth with great views across the area is Invergordon Golf Club.

Check out my guide to where to eat, drink and shop in Invergordon for more details.

Bird Spotting, Walking and Photography in Invergordon

Birdlife

There is plenty of birdlife, including a large number of seabirds:

  • Terns are common around the cruise port. These feisty birds are great parents and will vigorously defend their nests when they have chicks.
  • Oystercatchers are often seen along the shoreline. These black and white birds with an orange beak make a shrill peep peep.
  • Herons can also be seen along the shoreline, standing still until they spear a small fish with their long beak. There are plenty of Grey herons along the shore line.
  • There are also wading birds and large numbers of geese. For the later port calls in Quay West in 2025 the geese choose the pier as their overnight roosting spot!

In the summer months, an Osprey lives in Cromarty Firth. Look out for it if you are heading to Inverness – it lives near the Cromarty Causeway, the long bridge you cross to get to the other side of the Cromarty Firth. These amazing birds migrate from Africa to here to breed.

invergordon cruise port shore

Photography

If you want to get some good shots of the cruise ships then there are some good spots along the shore road.

One of my favourites is when you head out of the port keep right. Follow the road along until you get to the old Admiralty wooden pier. You can sometimes get good shots of the cruise ship from here, although you can’t generally go down the old pier. It depends how the ship is moored if you can get a good photo or not.

If this spot isn’t great then go back out of the pier area and continue in the same direction, to the right on exit. Just on the bend of the road there is a small flat area near the sea (on the same side as the sea). This is a good spot for getting a good view of the ship too.

Walking

There are some nice walks in the area:

Saltburn Woods

  • Saltburn Woods is a popular walk with cruise ship guests. This small community woodland is also loved by locals and dog walkers. There are some nice benches for views and fairy gardens to look out for as well. Head out to the right when you exit the port and keep going. Keep the sea on your right hand side. When you get to Kintyre House Care Home you will see the woods alongside.

Invergordon to Alness Route

  • There is a walking route that runs between Invergordon and Alness. This route is popular with locals, cyclists, and joggers. It offers some nice views across the Cromarty Firth. There is a very nice farm shop with cafe and toilets just before you get into Alness, making it ideal for a stop before returning back along the shore. Dalmore Distillery is also open and we are looking forward to their visitor centre opening in 2026.

invergordon cruise port aida sunrise

Taking a Private Tour While You Are In Invergordon

You may want to arrange a private tour while you are in Invergordon.

I would recommend booking in advance as there is limited availability in Invergordon on busy cruise ship days.

I would also recommend using a trusted supplier such as my recommended local suppliers, or booking through Get Your Guide for example.

There have been a number of scams where people have booked with operators advertising Invergordon tours only to arrive on the day and find there is no tour booked. In one instance a family lost £600. Make sure you use a reputable tour operator.

If you plan to take a taxi tour I would also recommend booking that in advance. We don’t have Uber or anything like that in Invergordon.

Check out my recommended local suppliers for tour operators and taxi contact details – let them know you got the details from Melanie so they take extra care of you and let me know if you have any problems.

Cruise Port to Invergordon Town

How to Get from Your Ship to Your Private Tour (Not Booked Through the Cruise Line)

  • Turn RIGHT when you exit the secure area after the gangway.
  • Follow green-marked pathway. This will wind around a small dock passing the Tourist Information, toilets and a shop.
  • Exit through security gate
  • Taxis: May be in small car park on right
  • Private tour guides: Meet outside security gate (follow their instructions)
  • Cross pedestrian crossing for town access

invergordon museum things to do in invergordon

Getting to Invergordon From Cruise Ship

From the Service Base Pier

  1. Turn RIGHT from the exit of the secure area at the end of the gangway.
  2. Follow green pathway past the Tourist Information, toilets and shop.
  3. Pass through security gate
  4. Cross road at pedestrian crossing
  5. Walk straight up King Street
  6. When you see the pipe band mural you’ve reached High Street
  7. Walk time: 5-10 minutes

See below for pictures of the route and a video of the route.

invergordon cruise port shore visitors

This is the shop. It’s small but there is an awful lot packed in – everything from Nessie items to whisky, jewellery, and clothing.

invergordon cruise port shop

This is the information point. During the morning some volunteers provide help to visitors. There is also a handy electronic timetable showing the local bus and train times.

invergordon cruise port shop

Getting from Invergordon Cruise Port to Invergordon High Street Video

Directions From Saltburn Pier to Invergordon Town Centre

  • Guests have to take the shuttle bus from beside the ship (pier is 1 mile long, no walking)
  • Shuttle drops you in town center at the main bus stop next to the Nickel and Dime shop
  • Return shuttle runs on a loop (no set timetable)
  • There can sometimes be a wait if the drivers have to take a legally required driving break

Is There Enough to Do in Invergordon For a Full Day?

As always the answer to this question depends on your interests. If you play golf then there is enough to keep you occupied with a visit to the golf club plus the shops and attractions in Inverness.

If you like walking then there is enough to keep you busy if you fancy taking a 3 mile walk along the shore to either the Dalmore Farm Shop and Cafe or the Dalmore Distillery (the visitor centre opens in 2026).

For most people there is enough to do in Invergordon for a half day by the time they have visited the museum, wandered the town and browsed the shops and had something to eat at drink at one of the cafes.

invergordon cruise port sunset

Getting to Inverness from Invergordon Port

The first thing to remember is that Inverness if 26 miles away from Invergordon. Invergordon is the closest accessible port for cruise ships and sometimes they call the port Invergordon (Inverness) which can be very confusing for guests.

There are several ways to get to Inverness from Invergordon cruise port as follows;

Quick Options:

  • Stagecoach 925 bus – Direct from port, tickets at kiosk (45 min)
  • Train – From Invergordon station, 10 min walk to town (1 hour)
  • Taxi – Pre-book recommended (45 min, £50-70)
  • Ship’s shuttle – most ships offer an ‘Inverness On Your Own’ type transfer which is a paid excursion, usually without an escort

You can find much more detail in my How to Get to Inverness from Invergordon post which covers buses, trains and taxi details

Getting to Loch Ness from Invergordon Cruise Port

Visiting Loch Ness is one of the most popular things for cruise passengers to do.

Getting to Loch Ness from Invergordon Cruise Port is not that straightforward as it involves getting to Inverness first (26 miles away) and then changing transport to get to Loch Ness.

It can be difficult to get bus times to connect and there can be more passengers than there is capacity on these services.

Check out my guide about how to get to Loch Ness from Invergordon Cruise Port for all you need to know if you are thinking of doing this yourself.

Practical Tips for Your Visit to Invergordon Cruise Port

Before You Disembark

  • Use the bathroom/toilets on board – it is likely going to be a couple of hours before you stop if you are taking a tour
  • Take a note of the back on board time
  • If you are taking a cruise line organised tour then check the meeting point and time. Some ships meet on board where you get your tour stickers, some meet on the pier – every one is different!
  • If you are taking a privately organised tour check you have the contact details of the operator in case of any issues
  • Bring small bills or contactless payment for shopping
  • Be prepared for the weather which can be very changeable in the Highlands. It is often very windy beside the ship.

For Independent Travellers Taking Private Tours or Sightseeing On Your Own

  • Public transport fills quickly so book ahead if you can
  • Ensure you have the ship emergency contact number with you
  • Ensure you have have taxi company details in case of a problem with public transport
  • Allow extra time for your return journey to the port
  • Weather can delay transport in the area, alongwith problems on the roads so allow plenty of time
  • Don’t assume you can board a ship organised tour bus if there is a problem – most ships won’t allow independent travellers to do this, even though they are guests from the cruise ship

Invergordon Port Tips

  • The volunteer tourist information point have maps of Inverness, details of local bus and train times and lots of information on things to do locally including walking, wildlife spotting, tours, shops and services
  • There is free WIFI in 2 cafes in the town of Invergordon
  • There are 2 ATMs in Invergordon – one at Mike Ross Arts (turn left when at the top of King Street by the pipe band mural) and one at The Co-Operative Store (turn right when at the top of King Street by the pipe band mural)
  • Most shops take contactless payment

Inverness Cruise Port FAQs

How far is Invergordon Cruise Port from Inverness?

It is around 26 miles or 40km from Invergordon to Inverness. The journey time is around 40-45 minutes (allowing for traffic). The bus and train take 1 hour to reach Inverness from Invergordon.

Do cruise ships dock in Invergordon or use tender boats?

All cruise ships in Invergordon dock alongside the piers – there is never a need for any tender boats in Invergordon

Is Invergordon the same as Inverness?

Invergordon is not the same as Inverness. It is 26 miles or 40km from Inverness. The confusion comes because Invergordon is the nearest accessible port for cruise ships and is often called Invergordon (Inverness) on the port call list.

Are there taxis and public transport at the port?

There are taxis, public buses and trains. On busy cruise ships days the demand can be really high so it is worth booking in advance if you can.

Are there shops and places to eat near the cruise terminal?

Yes — the High Street is just a short walk from the dock and has cafes, pubs, and shops for refreshments and essentials.

Is there a tourist information point at the port?

Local volunteers, called Oystercatchers, operate a tourist information point at the pier. They can give advice on places to visit, things to do and public transport

What are the best shore excursions from the port?

Popular tours include Loch Ness & Inverness day trips, castle visits (Cawdor & Dunrobin), whisky experiences and scenic Highland drives

What can I do in Invergordon during a port visit?

Walk the mural trail, visit the Naval Museum & Heritage Centre, grab a coffee or explore nearby Highland attractions.

All My Invergordon Cruise Port Articles

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