Clyde Street, Invergordon, IV18

Invergordon, a town on the north shore of the Cromarty Firth in Easter Ross, has a history deeply tied to the sea. Originally a small hamlet known as Inverbreakie, it took the name Invergordon in the 18th century when Sir William Gordon of Embo developed it as a planned settlement, with a harbour and improved transport links.

Its sheltered position made it a natural hub for trade and fishing, but Invergordon’s greatest historical significance came from its naval role. In the early 20th century, the Admiralty recognised the Cromarty Firth as one of the finest natural anchorages in Britain. Invergordon became a major Royal Navy base, with extensive facilities built to support fleets of battleships and cruisers. During the First World War, the Home Fleet was stationed here, and in the Second World War, the port once again played a crucial role in naval defence and convoy support.

Invergordon was also the site of the famous Invergordon Mutiny in September 1931, when sailors of the Atlantic Fleet protested against pay cuts during the economic depression. Though brief and non-violent, it sent shockwaves through Britain, highlighting unrest in the armed forces and even influencing financial markets.

After the decline of its naval base in the post-war period, Invergordon reinvented itself. The 1970s brought the construction of an aluminium smelter and, soon after, large-scale oil platform fabrication yards to serve the booming North Sea oil industry. Today, Invergordon remains industrially active, but it has also become a key destination for cruise ships visiting the Highlands.

The Cromarty Firth

The Cromarty Firth is a deep, narrow inlet of the Moray Firth, stretching inland between Easter Ross and the Black Isle. Its geography has defined its history: the firth is one of the best natural harbours in northern Europe, offering deep, sheltered waters safe from North Sea storms.

In earlier centuries, its shores supported fishing communities, crofting, and farming, while trade passed through its ports. Its strategic importance grew enormously in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the Royal Navy transformed it into a vital anchorage. During both World Wars, vast fleets of warships assembled here, with Invergordon at their heart. The firth’s naval facilities became part of Britain’s northern maritime defence system, guarding approaches to the Atlantic and Arctic routes.

From the 1970s onward, the Cromarty Firth became central to the offshore oil industry. Its deep waters were ideal for constructing oil rigs and platforms, which were towed out to the North Sea. Oil fabrication and servicing brought new jobs and industries to the region. Today, while oil and gas remain important, the firth is also at the forefront of renewable energy projects and continues to host a variety of marine industries.

The Cromarty Firth is not only industrial but also ecological. It forms part of a Special Protection Area for wildlife, supporting seals, porpoises, dolphins, and many migratory birds. This combination of naval history, industrial innovation, and natural richness makes it a distinctive part of Scotland’s heritage and landscape.