A specialist offshore rig has left Invergordon after being prepared for its next campaign at the Port of Cromarty Firth.

The Well-Safe Defender departed on 11th June, following a period of mobilisation work supported by the port’s facilities and the local supply chain.

Its departure follows that of sister rig the Well-Safe Guardian, which recently left the Cromarty Firth for a 360-day multi-well campaign at a client’s field 150 miles north-east of Aberdeen.

Together, the departures highlight the continuing role of the Cromarty Firth in supporting Scotland’s offshore energy sector, including decommissioning work in the North Sea.

Well-Safe Solutions, which is based in Aberdeen, has used the Port of Cromarty Firth as a base for both rigs ahead of their return to work.

During their time in Invergordon, the rigs have created opportunities for local and regional businesses.

Well-Safe Solutions delivers a fully integrated, Tier 1 well life cycle service, supporting activities from front-end engineering and design through to drilling, intervention, and decommissioning, including plug and abandonment operations.

The company works in collaboration with operators to safely, efficiently, and responsibly meet their well obligations, supporting the energy transition and the management of late-life assets in the North Sea and beyond.

The Port of Cromarty Firth has a long-established track record in supporting oil and gas, offshore renewables and energy transition activity, with deep-water facilities, laydown space and access to experienced local contractors.

Joanne Allday, Head of Strategy and Business Development at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “It is excellent to see the Well-Safe Defender leave the Cromarty Firth for its next campaign, following the recent departure of the Well-Safe Guardian.

“These projects show the important role the Port and experienced local engineering businesses continue to play in supporting complex mobilisation work of this kind.

“When rigs like the Well-Safe Defender and the Well-Safe Guardian are in the Cromarty Firth, they create opportunities for local companies and help sustain the jobs, skills and facilities that are vital to Scotland’s energy sector.”

Louis Middleton, Well-Safe Solutions Rig Manager, said: “During our interim sheltered water stay in the Cromarty Firth, both of the Well-Safe semisubmersibles were able to undertake a wide range of significant scopes. These included the completion of a 5-yearly Special Periodic Survey, alongside extensive maintenance activities and a number of upgrade scopes aimed at enhancing operational capability and reliability.

“This phase provided an opportunity to ensure that both units are well-positioned for future operations. All activities were carried out efficiently and safely, with consistent support and cooperation from the Port Authority throughout the duration of the stay.”

A Highland town is ruffling a few feathers after launching a trail inspired by a quirky cruise passenger trend.

The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) has launched a brand-new Duck Trail through Invergordon town centre, turning a popular cruise ship craze into what is a UK-first on dry land.

In a move designed to tempt cruise passengers off the ship and into local shops, cafés and attractions, the Port is taking the international cruise duck trend, where passengers hide, swap and photograph rubber ducks onboard, and bringing it ashore.

Colourful duck decals are now on display in shop windows along Invergordon High Street as part of the new trail created with Invergordon Museum and Invergordon Off The Wall, giving people a fun route to follow as they explore the town.

This is not only a fun activity for cruise passengers, it’s also something that families visiting or local to the area can take part in.

Louise Munro, Cruise Development Co-ordinator at the Port, said: “Cruise ducks have become a bit of a phenomenon at sea, so bringing them ashore felt like the perfect way to add a little extra fun in Invergordon. If it gets people smiling, taking photos and discovering somewhere new, that’s a win for everyone, especially our local businesses and community.”

And there’s a twist: each business has its own duck decal, meaning every stop on the trail will have its own personality, from tartan touches to quirky local flair.

Every duck decal features a QR code linking visitors directly to a digital page showing what each business offers and why it’s worth waddling inside.

Among the businesses signed up are Blythswood Care, Bonnie Bhaji, Co-op Food Invergordon, Tanstar Gifts, McRaes of Scotland and several more local favourites.

Alongside the High Street trail, a giant hero duck installation will become a central selfie stop for cruise visitors in year two, after local primary school pupils have the chance to get involved by helping design the duck.

Visitors will also be able to buy branded souvenir ducks, made from a wheat and PVC composite, with around £1 from every duck sold going directly into the Port’s community fund, making every duck purchase a small boost for Invergordon itself.

The ducks are available from three locations just now: Tanstar Gifts, the Invergordon Gallery and the Co-op supermarket, all on the town’s High Street.

The Duck Trail is part of wider cruise season planning by the Port, aimed at helping local businesses make the most of significant visitor numbers while creating a fun activity that can be enjoyed by local families, cruise passengers and other tourists.

Strange sightings, unexplained noises and a growing number of eyewitness accounts have prompted the Port of Cromarty Firth to look into reports of a mysterious ‘Nessie-like’ creature in local waters.

It began with a series of loud thuds across the site, with experts attributing them to anything from sonic booms caused by passing jets to tectonic plates shifting under the water.

The first reported sighting of the beast – which is already being dubbed “Gordon” by monster hunters – came from a pilot boat crew earlier this week.

Seaman Pete Mitchell said: “We saw a large wake, an unusual wake, on the side of the launch over there somewhere. We were all focused on what the wake was caused by and with that, I saw the head pop up. It gave me a wink, the head went back down and it carried on its way.”

While sightings remain unconfirmed, attention intensified after a very large brown mound of possible physical evidence was discovered during routine cleaning work on site.

Iona Bigboat, Port Cleaning Services, said: “We were just carrying out some normal cleaning operations along the site here, you know, litter picking, things of that nature, and then we came across this. We thought at first it might just have been a big seagull, but now that seems unlikely.”

News of the possible discovery has already travelled far, with monster hunters and curious onlookers turning their attention to Invergordon in the hope of catching a glimpse for themselves.

Local character Luke Atthisguy said: “It was huge, it was a big dark shape under the water. I couldn’t tell if it was one big one or two small ones or something, the way it moved. It was the size of an aeroplane.”

The Port’s PR and marketing team moved quickly to assess the wider implications of such a discovery, including what it could mean for local tourism, branding and merchandise opportunities.

Managers have even consulted experts in marine ecology to ensure they were appropriately considering the beast’s welfare.

Brainiac Dr Dempsey said: “What we can advise at this point is that the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code should be followed by the port and by tourists for their own safety and for the animal’s safety.

“We have taken eDNA samples of the water and set up baited camera traps to learn more about the creature. We think that a Harry Gow’s dream ring will be irresistible to it.”

For now, port traffic continues cautiously as the Cromarty Firth’s newest resident settles into the area. 

Officials are stressing that there is no cause for alarm, unless you happen to be an unattended dream ring.

The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) has announced funding of £5,000 for Cromarty Youth Cafe, supporting the organisation’s mission to provide high quality, year round youth work and a wide range of opportunities for young people across the Cromarty area.

This funding will help sustain the cafe’s dedicated youth work staff team, enabling them to deliver a full annual programme of activities, achievement opportunities, and vital food provision. The support reflects the Port’s ongoing commitment to community wellbeing and to helping local young people thrive.

Cromarty Youth Cafe offers an extensive programme designed to build skills, confidence, and belonging. This includes accredited achievement courses, such as Food Hygiene, Child Protection, and First Aid, as well as volunteering and leadership recognition, beach cleans and environmental projects, rowing sessions with CCRC, and a variety of community events. Every activity includes free access to food and health & wellbeing bags, helping to ensure that all young people can take part without barriers.

The organisation also provides targeted support for young people with additional support needs and neurodiverse needs, creating a safe and inclusive space with trusted adults, and opportunities to build friendships and resilience.

Alongside these core supports, the cafe delivers a schedule of activities including football, multi sports, dodgeball, badminton, tennis, Arts in Nature, seasonal celebrations, inflatable sessions, Eden Court workshops, archery, Cook Well and Bakewell programmes, and support nights with partner agencies.

The funding comes at a special moment for Cromarty Youth Cafe, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a major event recognising the achievements and awards earned by local young people over the past two decades.

A spokesperson for Cromarty Youth Cafe said: “We are absolutely delighted and extremely grateful to the Port Authority for this support. The funding will allow us to continue delivering a wide range of activities and vital youth work, ensuring young voices are heard and helping young people gain skills, confidence, and opportunities for the future.”

Alex Campbell, Chief Executive at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “We’re proud to support Cromarty Youth Cafe as it continues its fantastic work with local young people. Their year round programme offers vital opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and community connection, and we’re delighted to help the organisation grow and build on its 20 year legacy.”

The Community Sponsorship Programme aspires to improve, safeguard and develop Cromarty Firth communities, for the benefit of local people.

Community projects, schools or local charities based in one of the nine communities that border the Cromarty Firth are welcome to apply for support. They can do so by submitting an application form stating the project’s objectives, aspirations and the benefits to the community, along with a letter/email of support from their local Community Council.

Projects must be collaborative and meet one of four eligibility criteria:

• Skills development, employability or job creation,
• Vessel crew or passenger support,
• Environmental protection or enhancement,
• Events or projects which encourage inter-community collaboration.

Application forms are available on the Port of Cromarty Firth website or from cfpa@cfpa.co.uk.