Invergordon welcomes three liners in one day
INVERGORDON will see its population swell today (Monday) when it welcomes three cruise ships carrying 4,600 passengers.
Among the ships coming into the Cromarty Firth port is Cunard’s Queen Victoria which is on her maiden visit to Invergordon and will be berthed at the Admiralty Pier.
She will be carrying 2,000 passengers and by calling in at Invergordon she follows in the footsteps of her famous sister ships –the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Mary 2 (QM2).
Mein Schiff pays its second visit of the season and will be berthed at the Invergordon Service Base. The German vessel will be carrying 1,900 passengers.
The third ship in port today is the Marco Polo, a familiar visitor. The British ship will be carrying around 760 visitors and will berth at Saltburn Pier.
With more than 4,600 visitors arriving at once, Highland businesses have been gearing up in anticipation of a bumper tourist boom.
Port CEO Bob Buskie said: "This will be a busy day for the port and for the Highlands. With all three ships arriving between 7.30am and 9am, the team has put in to place a lot of planning. The port is very lucky to be able to accommodate three modern cruise ships at once. This brings such benefit to the local economy in the form of direct and indirect spend."
Mr Buskie added: "The welcome given by the Invergordon community is key to the repeat business the port sees from some respected cruise operators, such as Cunard."
Cruise Development Manager for Cruise Highlands Ltd, Captain Iain Dunderdale, said: "Cruise Highlands has worked closely with the port to ensure a trouble free experience for all on board and for the town of Invergordon. We are looking forward to welcoming the Queen Victoria on its maiden voyage to Invergordon."