INVERGORDON

A special port of call in the Highlands

Sailing into the Cromarty Firth takes you into one of the finest natural harbours in Britain - and through a magnificent gateway to the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Situated on Scotland's rugged east coast, Invergordon is ideally located as a port of call for round-Britain cruises, and for cruises originating in Scandinavia, the Baltic and North-west Europe.

Royal Viking Sun Invergordon, in North-east Scotland, is the only port in the Highlands, where the largest cruise liners - including the QE2, last year - can come alongside, with convenient transfer of passengers to and from onshore transport. There are no tidal or navigational restrictions at the deep-water port which can accommodate two large liners of up to 900 feet (275 metres) and 36 feet (11 metres) draught simultaneously.

The Cromarty Firth - the seaway to Scotland's heritage

Entering the port

Shore excursions

Invergordon offers cruise passengers an extensive selection of shore excursions. The choice includes Loch Ness, always popular with first time visitors, home of ''Nessie'' the monster, and historic and romantic castles such as Cawdor, Dunrobin and Brodie.

The Highlands are steeped in history and heritage. Less than an hour's drive from Invergordon lies Culloden battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops suffered a cruel defeat and the Jacobite Rising of 1745 came to an end. Nearby is Fort George, one of the outstanding artillery fortifications in Europe, built after the Battle of Culloden to discourage further Jacobite ambitions.

Scotch Whisky

All of these venues are well used to handling large groups of visitors, as is Ord Distillery, some 30 minutes drive from Invergordon. Here visitors can witness the age-old and mysterious art of producing Scotch Whisky - ''the Water of Life''. The Glen Ord is a magnificent 12 year old single malt - a fine example of the distiller's craft.

Invergordon also caters well for smaller cruise liners. The village of Cromarty, a 45-minute drive from the port is the best preserved 18th century village in the Highlands, perhaps even in the whole of Scotland. The Courthouse, built in 1773, is now a small visitor centre with video, animatronic fiures, a reconstructed trial and quality gift shop. Since opening in 1991, the Courthouse has won several awards including Scottish Museum of the Year.

The Royal Burgh of Tain

Just 12 miles north of Invergordon lies the historic Royal Burgh of Tain. A new attraction, The Pilgrimage, opened in 1994 and tells the story of Tain's rise to prominence as a major centre of pilgrimage in medieval Scotland. The site embraces three buildings, including the 15th century Collegiate Church to which Scotland's King James IV travelled on at least 18 occasions.

An exciting new shore programme exclusively available to cruise line passengers, and with strictly limited numbers, offers the opportunity to visit two local castles not normally open to the public - Castle Leod at Strathpeffer, the seat of the Clan MacKenzie, and Foulis Castle, seat of the Clan Munro. These visits would be personally conducted by the owner or a member of their immediate families.

Inverness

Inverness, 30 minutes drive from the port, offers excellent shopping for traditional Highland crafts such as tartans, knitwear and jewellery. Golfing enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with world renowned championship courses at Royal Dornoch and Nairn within an hour's drive of the port.

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