Cromarty ferry relaunched

The ferry link between Cromarty and Nigg has been re-instated after a two year shut down. The new ferry, which can carry four rather than two cars, was launched by actress Penelope Keith.

The ferry route provides an important link for visitors and locals between Cromarty on the Black Isle and Nigg. The new vessel, named the Cromarty Queen is still one of the smallest car ferries operating in the UK, despite having doubled the capacity of the previous boat. The service last ran in the summer of 2009 when 13,000 passengers were carried on the short crossing in the year.

Penelope Keith, star of TV programmes including The Good Life and To the Manor Born, has a home on the Black Isle and has just ended a long running planning battle with Highland Council over plans to open a tea room in Avoch with permission for a revised design finally being approved six years after the initial application.