About The Cromarty Firth: A Unique Natural Resource

The many habitats of the Cromarty Firth create a rich and complex mosaic supporting marine life, wild birds, heavy industry and agriculture. What at first appears to be an impossible competition for resources is in fact the result of carefully managed commercial and natural forces. Careful management ensures that a nature reserve thrives close to the Nigg oil terminal, international shipping passes safely by Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and that further commercial developments are actively encouraged within agreed environmental parameters.

The Economy
For as long as there have been human settlers in this area, there have been recognised waterways and ferries across the Firth. The Cromarty-Nigg ferry crossing has survived road and rail developments, but the evidence of other older ferry links reveals a productive past founded on trade and seamanship. Of course, many small sea craft still traverse the waters of the Firth but nowadays these tend to be sailboats and windsurfers, sea anglers and wildlife cruises out to explore the waters of the Moray Firth.

Communities around the Firth have traded with Norway, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Holland and other countries in the Mediterranean since medieval times. Trade in timber, fish, hemp, flax and grain made the fortunes of many of the areas feudal landlords.

Today, the economy is centred around the oil industry, the exceptional deep water harbour facilities, agriculture, new information technology and tourism. International shipping still carries the Firths produce across the world, but greatly enhanced rail and road links also play their part.

Ross and Cromarty Economic Area Profile



The Natural Heritage
An integral part of the larger Moray Firth, the Cromarty Firth is Britains most northerly estuary and a protected stopover for tens of thousands of migrating birds attracted by teeming marine life in the expansive mudflats and smaller stretches of saltmarsh and grassland.

Cromarty Firth Special Protection Area

These coastal waters are also regularly visited by a group of 130 bottlenose dolphins, one of only two known populations in the British Isles. Common and grey seals can be seen hauled out on the rocks and banks of the Firth.

For countless generations, the waters of the Firth have provided migratory routes for salmon and trout and an overwintering area for sprats and herring. Coastal archaeology has revealed evidence of fish traps or yares along both sides of the Firth dating from as far back as the 1600s. Significantly, salmon fishing and farmed fish processing remain important aspects of the local economy today.


The Cultural Heritage
All around the shores of the Cromarty Firth, traces and trails of ancient peoples from the Stone Age onwards merge with modern day paths and highways. At any point, you are never far away from a piece of the Firths long and turbulent history: Neolithic chambered tombs; Pictish stones; Medieval churches and holy wells; castles and mansion houses; grain stores; piers and fish traps; whisky distilleries.

It is a rich tapestry sewn together over many centuries and one which connects a fascinating history and a rich environment with so many aspects of our contemporary society.