Official Coach Tour Operators Engaged Directly by the Cruise Line / Their Ground Handlers
- Cruise ships will arrive at Berths 2-4. Passengers on tours booked through the ship will exit into the main coach parking area on the Port facility opposite Main Gate (Berth 4).
- Coach operators with tours booked by the cruise line the following day will be able to park overnight within the Port facility. This overnight parking is free of charge and allows more space for independent coaches to park out with the Port. Drivers and vehicles will need to register with Port security, and drivers will need to be health and safety inducted. No driver can remain on site overnight.
- PoCF understands that arrangements have been made for all morning tour coaches to return to the ship after driving along the High Street, allowing passengers the opportunity to see the High Street and for guides/drivers to point out the local shops and Mural trail that could be enjoyed in the afternoon.
- A Code of Conduct has been agreed by stakeholders and we ask all operators to abide by it. This is for the safety and consideration of your own staff, as well as other operators and local residents. The Code has been designed by operators, residents and other stakeholders to improve communications and reduce tension on cruise days. It can be found here.
- If parking overnight out with the Port facilities, please park with residents in mind and only in spaces suitable for your vehicle.
Independent Coach-Only Operators Engaged by Passengers / Travel Agencies
- Cruise ships will arrive at Berths 2-4. Independent passengers will exit on foot via West Harbour.
- Stagecoach 925 public bus service to Inverness will leave from the PoCF Facilities Office car park. (This will keep the two Shore Road bays clear for independent operator coaches only, one per bay at a time.)
- The two Shore Road lay-bys provide pick-up and drop-off only for a single coach per bay at any time. No waiting is allowed. On large cruise ship days there may be up to 25 independent operator coaches all trying to use the two bays. Please do not block the bays and ensure the Shore Road clearway is kept clear at all times. The majority of coaches depart Invergordon between 08.30am and 09.30am and return between 16.10pm and 17.00pm. Please be considerate of other operators and of residents.
- Independent coach tour operators in Invergordon work together and use a call-down system when their passenger group is gathered and ready to depart. This minimises time in the pick-up/drop-off bay, is fair for all operators, and avoids dangerous stopping/blocking of the clearway. (Shore Road in front of the Port is a clearway. It is illegal to stop here, and enforcement officers are engaged by the Port and the Local Authority to ensure the route remains clear.) If you are not already part of the WhatsApp group and you operate independent coaches, please contact XXX.
- A Code of Conduct has been agreed by stakeholders and we ask all operators to abide by it. This is for the safety and consideration of your own staff, as well as other operators and local residents. The Code has been designed by operators, residents and other stakeholders to improve communications and reduce tension on cruise days. It can be found here.
Independent Operators Engaged by Passengers / Travel Agencies: Mini-buses / Taxis / Smaller Vehicles (Non-Coaches)
- Cruise ships will arrive at Berths 2-4. Passengers booking independent tours will exit on foot via West Harbour.
- The Stagecoach 925 public bus service to Inverness will leave from the PoCF Facilities Office car park.
- The Shore Road lay-bys are for coach pick-up/drop-off only. Any vehicles smaller than a coach must use local car parks / on-street parking to pick-up and drop-off your passengers. The local retailers will be delighted if you drop off in safe areas on the High Street.
- A Code of Conduct has been agreed by stakeholders and we ask all operators to abide by it. This is for the safety and consideration of your own staff, as well as other operators and local residents. The Code has been designed by operators, residents and other stakeholders to improve communications and reduce tension on cruise days. It can be found here.
Tour Guides: Independent Cruise Tours
- Cruise ships will arrive at Berths 2-4. Independent passengers will exit on foot via West Harbour. Please ensure you know where to find your coach and driver.
- Parking for guides is in marked car parks in Invergordon. Please do not park in ‘residents only’ parking areas, as this results in complaints and may result in enforcement action. Please do not park in the Port’s marked car parks, as these car parks are for employees of the Port and it’s customers only.
- Public toilets for guides and drivers are available in the car park on Clyde Street (IV18 0DS). (Passenger toilets are available prior to the exit from West Harbour.)
- Please refer to the Pick-up/Drop-off arrangements for independent tour operations for coaches and smaller vehicles and ensure you and your driver follow these.
- A Code of Conduct has been agreed by stakeholders and we ask all operators to abide by it. This is for the safety and consideration of your own staff, as well as other operators and local residents. The Code has been designed by operators, residents and other stakeholders to improve communications and reduce tension on cruise days. It can be found here.
Tour Guides: Official (Ships-Own) Cruise Tours
- Cruise ships will arrive at Berths 2-4. Passengers on tours booked through the cruise line will exit into the main coach parking area on the Port facility opposite Main Gate (Berth 4). Please ensure you know where to find your coach and driver.
- All guides will require to be safety inducted prior to undertaking your first tour. Please arrange this directly with PoCF security via your ground handler.
- Parking for guides is available in the Port’s two car parks on opposite sides of Shore Road. These are free. If these car parks are full, please park in marked car parks in Invergordon. Please do not park in ‘residents only’ parking areas, as this results in complaints and may result in enforcement action.
- Toilets for guides and drivers are available adjacent to the coach pick-up/drop-off area on Berths 2-4.
- A Code of Conduct has been agreed by stakeholders and we ask all operators to abide by it. This is for the safety and consideration of your own staff, as well as other operators and local residents. The Code has been designed by operators, residents and other stakeholders to improve communications and reduce tension on cruise days. It can be found here.
