Cromarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cromarty
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 Cromarty
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| Population | 660 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NH785675 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CROMARTY |
| Postcode district | IV11 |
| Dialling code | 01381 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament | |
Cromarty (pronounced CROM-ar-tee) is a charming town in the Highland area of Scotland. It's located at the very tip of the Black Isle, right on the southern side of the Cromarty Firth. This town is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Invergordon, which is on the other side of the water. In 2001, about 719 people lived here.
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A Look Back in Time: Cromarty's History
The name Cromarty comes from old words. It might mean "crooked bay" or "the bend between the heights." This refers to the tall rocks, called the Sutors, that stand at the entrance to the Firth. In 1264, the town was known as Crumbathyn.
Cromarty and the Sea
Cromarty has always been connected to the sea. For a long time, fishing was the main job, especially for salmon and herring. Boats were also used for trade, connecting Cromarty to other towns. They exported local hemp fibre and brought in goods like coal. The Cromarty Firth is a fantastic natural harbor. It was even an important British naval base during the First World War and the Second World War.
- On December 30, 1915, a ship called HMS Natal blew up nearby, and many lives were lost.
- Later, on January 26, 1940, another ship, HMS Durham Castle, hit a mine laid by a German submarine.
Cromarty is so important to the sea that it even gives its name to one of the sea areas in the British Shipping Forecast.
Castles and Old Towns
Cromarty Castle was once the home of the Urquharts, who were like the local sheriffs. Cromarty was a "royal burgh," which means it was a special town with royal rights. The ferry from Cromarty to Nigg was part of a royal pilgrimage route to Tain. In 1513, James IV of Scotland stayed at Cromarty Castle during his pilgrimage.
In 2012, after some big winter storms, archaeologists found parts of the town's medieval burgh. This old town dates back to at least the 12th century! A community project started in 2013 to explore these old roads and buildings.
Famous People from Cromarty
Cromarty is the birthplace of some interesting people:
- Sir Thomas Urquhart was a very smart person who translated famous books into English.
- Hugh Miller was a geologist, writer, and journalist in the 1800s. He collected local stories, like the legend of John Reid, who supposedly got three wishes from a mermaid!
Nature and Wildlife in Cromarty
Cromarty is a great place to see sea life. You can often spot one of the most northern groups of bottlenose dolphins here. Along with Chanonry Point, Cromarty is one of the best places in Europe to see these amazing animals close to the shore.
The rocks around Cromarty are made of Old Red Sandstone. Hugh Miller wrote a lot about this stone. You can also find many fossils in the rocks along the coast.
How Cromarty is Governed
Cromarty is part of the Highland council area. This council helps manage local services for the town.
Voting for Parliament
When people in Cromarty vote for the UK Parliament, they are part of the Ross, Skye and Lochaber area. This area is currently represented by Ian Blackford.
For the Scottish Parliament, Cromarty is part of the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch area. This area is currently represented by Kate Forbes.
Community Council
Cromarty also has a local Community Council. This group has seven members who are elected to help with local issues. Their coat of arms has three boars' heads and the motto "Meane Well, Speak Weil, and Doe Weil."
Buildings and Special Places
Cromarty is famous for its beautiful old buildings. Many of them are Georgian merchant houses and Victorian fisherman's cottages. The town is seen as a wonderful example of an 18th and 19th-century Scottish town.
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- The cottage where geologist Hugh Miller was born in 1801 is the only building left in Cromarty with a thatched roof. Most houses now have slate roofs.
- Cromarty House was built in 1772 by George Ross. He also built other important buildings, like a large brewery (now an arts center), the Cromarty Courthouse (now a museum), and the harbor.
- The Stevenson Lighthouse, built in 1846, is another important landmark.
- The East Kirk is a medieval church that has been restored.
Getting Around Cromarty
In the past, most people traveled to Cromarty by boat. Ferries connected the town to other places.
- The historic ferry route between Cromarty and Nigg used to be served by Britain's smallest vehicle ferry, the Cromarty Rose.
- Now, a new ferry called the Renfrew Rose runs the service from June to September. This ferry helps people travel directly north from the Black Isle.
Learning in Cromarty
Cromarty has a small primary school called Cromarty Primary School, with about 50 students. The University of Aberdeen also has a research station here, focusing on marine life.
Community Life and Fun Things to Do
Cromarty is a lively place with lots of creative activities. There are several arts venues and local artists.
- The Cromarty Arts Trust helps restore buildings and organizes many events. These include concerts, a Crime and Thrillers weekend, and courses like stone carving.
- The Cromarty Group of artists holds an annual exhibition to show their work.
- The Cromarty History Society has regular talks about the town's past.
- The Cromarty and Resolis Film Society organizes a Film Festival every December. Famous guests have attended this festival.
Recently, coastal rowing has become very popular. Cromarty has three special boats called skiffs. These boats take part in races across Scotland. The Cromarty Community Rowing Club also hosts its own regatta in the summer.
Cromarty's Unique Way of Speaking
Cromarty used to have its own special way of speaking, a local North Northern Scots dialect. In 2012, Bobby Hogg, the last person who spoke this traditional dialect, passed away. He had even put together a booklet of old words and phrases from Cromarty.
People from Cromarty
- Sir Thomas Urquhart
- Hugh Miller
- Scottish writer Ian Rankin uses a quiet place in Cromarty when he writes his novels.
- John Fraser, an educator and soldier.
- James Ross, a Canadian businessman and engineer.
- David MacLean, a former Member of Parliament.
Images for kids
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An etching of Cromarty from an old book called Scotia Depicta by James Fittler.
