Global appeal of Highland port highlighted during strong year for cruise

German and American tourists accounted for 70% of the more than 180,000 cruise passengers who visited the Cromarty Firth in 2025, new figures have revealed.

Another busy and successful cruise season has drawn to a close, with 96 vessels calling at Invergordon across the year.

And 2026 is already shaping up to be another strong year for cruise at the Port of Cromarty Firth, with 98 ships scheduled to visit.

In total, 184,411 passengers and 70,976 crew members arrived in 2025.

Those visits generated significant activity for tour operators and local transport providers.

97,779 passengers took ship-organised tours and 2,541 tour coaches were used across the region.

The Port proved particularly popular with Germans and Americans, with 74,769 (40% of passengers) and 55,254 (30% of passengers) arriving respectively.

Brits were third with 15,315 visitors, followed by 9,151 Canadians and 4,555 from the Netherlands.

Visitors from Italy (3,792), France (3,365), Australia (3,047), Spain (2,339) and Austria (1,622) rounded out the top 10.

Louise Munro, Cruise Development Co-ordinator at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “The success of the 2025 season and the diversity of the passengers we welcomed underline the global appeal of the Highlands.

“Every ship call represents real opportunities for local business – from shops, cafes and visitor attractions to tour guides and coach companies.

“With a strong pipeline of bookings for 2026, we’re focused on building on that success and continuing to maximise the benefits of cruise for communities across the region.”

The 2026 schedule will again see vessels visiting the Port of Cromarty Firth regularly, beginning with AIDA Cruises’ AIDAmar on April 6. 

The season is due to finish on October 14, with a visit from AIDA Cruises’ 2,300-passenger vessel AIDASol, which is a regular visitor to the Firth.

Invergordon has been a key port of call for the cruise industry for almost 50 years, offering passengers easy access to the world-renowned landmarks, scenery, culture and hospitality of the Scottish Highlands.

The industry has grown steadily in the area since it started with the arrival at Invergordon of the MV Kungsholm in 1978 and it now

contributes millions of pounds to Highland businesses and communities every year.