2026 summer season, weekday and weekend start times — checked 22 September 2026 · Sailings shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Highland Ferries Ltd
Map – Cromarty Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Passenger / Adult, single | £5.00 |
| Passenger / Adult, return | £8.00 |
| Child (5-15), single | £2.50 |
| Child (5-15), return | £4.00 |
| Cyclist, single | £6.00 |
| Cyclist, return | £10.00 |
| Car and driver, single | £10.00 |
| Car and driver, return | £15.00 |
| Motorbike and driver, single | £8.00 |
| Motorbike and driver, return | £12.00 |
| Van / camper / 4x4 / pickup and driver, single | £15.00 |
| Van / camper / 4x4 / pickup and driver, return | £25.00 |
Fares as published live on the operator's own site, checked 22 September 2026; no effective date is printed alongside the fares table itself. Camper vans and motorhomes are not carried at all — the operator says they tend to ground boarding the ferry — and other vans, 4x4s and pickups are capped at 4 tonnes and 6 metres. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Cromarty Ferry is a small, summer-only car ferry, a short crossing of the Cromarty Firth linking the historic town of Cromarty with Nigg on the opposite shore of the Black Isle peninsula. It is run under contract to The Highland Council by Highland Ferries Ltd, whose operator, Dougie Robertson, also runs the year-round Fort William to Camusnagaul ferry for the council. The Cromarty route has a more troubled recent history than most: it has changed hands and been paused between seasons before, sometimes for want of a suitable boat or funding, so its return each spring is never entirely guaranteed.
When running, the ferry operates from the first of April to the end of September, a roughly six-month season that puts it among the shortest of any UK vehicle ferry. There is no fixed departure timetable — instead, sailings begin at 08:00 from Cromarty and 08:10 from Nigg on weekdays, or two hours later, at 10:00 and 10:15, on Saturdays and Sundays, and then run continuously roughly every 20 to 30 minutes until around 18:00, tightening into a shuttle when the crossing is busy. Because the boat is small, there are real limits on what it can carry: camper vans and motorhomes are turned away outright, as they tend to ground boarding the ferry, and other vans, 4x4s and pickups are capped at 4 tonnes and 6 metres.
Fares are charged by vehicle and passenger type, from a £5.00 single foot passenger fare up to £15.00 single for a car, with return tickets offering a modest discount over two singles. As with any small open-water crossing exposed to Highland weather, sailings can be cancelled at short notice — the operator posted a cancellation for Saturday 19 September 2026 because of conditions that day, restored the following day — so it is worth checking the operator's own page or phoning ahead, particularly late in the short season when the whole service is approaching its annual close.
- Arrive at the slipway a few minutes before departure; vehicle queues build quickly in summer.
- Check the operator's notices before travelling — tides, weather and maintenance affect sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: several crossings are contactless-only.
Frequently asked questions
Checked on 22 September 2026, Highland Ferries' own site said the service was operating for the 2026 summer season until the end of September — so it should still be running, but is close to its seasonal close. It can also be cancelled for a single day in bad weather, as happened on Saturday 19 September 2026, so phone ahead (07468 417137) if travelling near the end of the season.
The operator states it runs from the first of April to the end of September each year. No exact final sailing date beyond 'end of September' is published, so the precise last day of the 2026 season is not confirmed here.
A foot passenger is £5.00 single or £8.00 return. A car and driver is £10.00 single or £15.00 return, a motorbike and driver £8.00/£12.00, a cyclist £6.00/£10.00, and a van, 4x4 or pickup with driver £15.00 single or £25.00 return.
No. The operator does not carry motorhomes because they tend to ground coming onto the ferry. Other vans, 4x4s and pickups are accepted up to a 4-tonne weight and 6-metre length limit.
There is no fixed timetable. It sails roughly every 20 to 30 minutes from first thing until about 18:00, running more like a continuous shuttle when it is busy.
The first sailing from Cromarty is 08:00 on weekdays or 10:00 at weekends (08:10 / 10:15 from Nigg); the last crossing of the day is around 18:00 from either side.
Highland Ferries Ltd, which runs the service under contract to The Highland Council. It is the same operator that runs the year-round Fort William to Camusnagaul ferry.