Fears for future of Cromarty ferry

By Jenny Rush

Published: 11 June, 2009

THE Cromarty ferry has once again set sail for the summer season, but there are fears that it may not hit the waters next year.

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Owner Tom Henderson said that the vessel, which was built in 1986, is costing so much to maintain it might not be viable to run during next year's tourist season.

And the demise of such a popular tourist attraction should be prevented by any means possible, a Highland councillor said this week.

Black Isle councillor David Alston said: "The ferry is so important because it puts Cromarty on the route north.

"It is part of the national cycle route and if we broke that we'd be taking away Cromarty's link with a growing tourist market. Tourism is very important to Cromarty."

He added: "It is also historic link – there has been a ferry there for at least 800 years and it is important that communities along the coast remain linked."

Mr Henderson said the best option open to him was to build a new ferry and is in the process of trying to secure funding for the venture.

He said: "It is all very dependant on whether there is any funding available. The ferry is getting quite old and it is costing more each year to get it back up to scratch for the season.

"It just needs a lot of money to keep up each year. The mechanisms on a new boat will be more up to date, it will be easier for the captain and crewmen to run and the maintenance costs at the end of each season will not be as much and it should be more viable to run."

Owner Tom Henderson says increasing maintenance costs might make the Cromarty-Nigg car ferry unviable.

Mr Henderson added: "I don't really know what the next step is. The ferry is a major lifeline for the community and we get a lot of support from local businesses.

"Even during the season, if we have a breakdown for whatever reason, the businesses notice there are not so many tourists around.

"It does draw people into the area," he stated.

Cllr Alston added: "Anything that we can do to support any applications for funding, we will do."

The boat is renowned as Scotland's smallest ferry and is able to carry just two cars and 50 passengers on its crossing from Cromarty to Nigg.

j.rush@north-star-news.co.uk