Broom Crescent, Alness, IV17

Alness is a small town in the Highland council area of Scotland, situated on the north shore of the Cromarty Firth. Its history is tied to agriculture, fishing, and later, to industry and the naval presence on the firth. Originally a rural parish settlement, Alness expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries as farming improvements and the whisky industry brought growth—the Dalmore Distillery, founded in 1839, remains one of its most famous landmarks.

During the 20th century, the town grew substantially with the establishment of the Invergordon aluminium smelter in the 1970s, which provided employment across Easter Ross until its closure in 1981. Alness has also been closely connected to the Royal Navy presence in nearby Invergordon, particularly during the World Wars, when the firth served as an important anchorage.

Today, Alness is often celebrated for its strong community spirit and success in the Britain in Bloom competitions, where it gained recognition as one of the most attractive small towns in Scotland.

The Cromarty Firth

The Cromarty Firth is a large natural inlet on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands, stretching inland from the Moray Firth. Its sheltered deep waters have long made it strategically important, both economically and militarily. In medieval times, the firth supported fishing and small-scale trade, while surrounding estates prospered from fertile farmland.

From the late 19th century onwards, the Cromarty Firth became a vital naval anchorage. During the First World War, the Royal Navy’s Home Fleet used it as a secure base, and in the Second World War it again hosted fleets and served as a repair and refuelling station. The nearby town of Invergordon became a major naval hub, and in 1931, the “Invergordon Mutiny” of sailors stationed there briefly rocked Britain’s military establishment.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the firth became central to the North Sea oil industry. Its deep waters and relative shelter made it ideal for constructing and servicing oil rigs, and Invergordon developed as an oil fabrication yard.

Today, the Cromarty Firth continues to serve industry and commerce, hosting cruise ships, renewable energy projects, and offshore oil and gas activities. At the same time, it is a haven for wildlife, with seals, dolphins, and many bird species frequenting its waters, making it both an industrial and a natural landmark of the Highlands.