Port of Cromarty Firth invites interest for Invergordon Service Base shop
Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) is inviting expressions of interest from businesses to operate the sole retail outlet on the Invergordon Service Base during the 2026 and 2027 cruise seasons.
Following another busy 2025 cruise season, which is scheduled to welcome 97 cruise ships, approximately 200,000 passengers and over 50,000 crew members to Invergordon, PoCF says it is preparing for another year of growth.
For 2026, 107 ships are already reserved, with 109 bookings confirmed for 2027, reflecting the continued expansion of Scotland’s busiest cruise port and its reputation as a premier gateway to the Highlands.
The Port is seeking an operator “to deliver a high quality, customer focused retail experience that showcases the best of Scotland to international visitors”.
The successful organisation will have exclusive rights to operate the retail outlet located next to the Invergordon Tourism Alliance hut, on the direct route passengers take to exit the Port into the West Harbour.
The port says this “presents an exciting opportunity to engage directly with cruise passengers visiting Invergordon, offering Scottish gifts, local produce, and currency exchange services, while also promoting the town’s businesses and encouraging passengers to explore the local area”.
Expressions of interest are welcomed from individual businesses or consortia, such as groups of local enterprises wishing to collaborate on a joint bid.
The successful organisation will be notified in early December to provide sufficient time to source premises, stock, and utilities prior to the start of the 2026 cruise season.
Although the contract will be for the 2026 and 2027 cruise seasons, there will be an option to extend to cover the 2028 season.
For an Expressions of Interest pack , see visit https://pocf.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Gift-Shop_Expressions-of-Interest-Pack-2025_Final-1.pdf or email cruise@cfpa.co.uk.
All expressions of interest should be submitted before midnight on Sunday, November 23.