Local team to continue Highland welcome as Cobbs re-appointed for Port of Cromarty Firth gift shop

A team of local staff will continue welcoming visitors to the Port of Cromarty Firth after Highland business Cobbs was re-appointed to run the sole retail outlet at the Invergordon Service Base.

The quayside gift shop is located next to the Invergordon Tourism Alliance hut on the direct route passengers take to leave the port, giving visitors a convenient opportunity to buy quality Scottish gifts and local produce while being encouraged to explore the town and wider area.

Led by manager Elaine Macleod, the team of six staff all live nearby and enjoy meeting the thousands of cruise passengers that arrive at the port every year from all over the world.

Elaine said: “Cruise passengers want a warm, authentic Highland welcome – and having a local team makes a real difference. We’ve built the shop up over the last few years by listening to what visitors are looking for, and we now stock a wide range of gifts and produce from more than 50 Scottish suppliers, including Highland makers.

“We’ll be open for every ship call, and we always encourage people to head into Invergordon – the town has plenty to offer and we want visitors to make the most of their day here.”

Cobbs’ plans for the gift shop include a comprehensive selection of recognised Scottish brands and Highland-based producers, with a dedicated area promoting Invergordon, the Cromarty Firth and local makers. The shop also holds an alcohol licence to showcase local and regional distilleries and producers including Invergordon Gin, with profits from the gin going to charity.

More than 180,000 cruise passengers visited the Cromarty Firth in 2025 – and 2026 is shaping up to be another busy year, with 95 ships scheduled to visit.

Following a recent comprehensive procurement process the new contract was awarded to cover the 2026 and 2027 cruise seasons, with an option to extend it for a third year in 2028. It continues the working relationship that was established between the trust port and Cobbs in 2019.

Elaine added: “It’s brilliant getting to meet people from all over the world and then saying ‘this is our wee bit of the Highlands’. And because we’re locals, we’re always happy to point visitors towards other shops and places in Invergordon too, so they get the full experience.”

Invergordon has been a key port of call for the cruise industry for almost 50 years. The industry has grown steadily in the area and now contributes millions of pounds to Highland businesses and communities every year.

The first ship of 2026 is scheduled to arrive on April 6.