For thousands of years the Cromarty Firth and the districts which surround it have seen human activity of varied kinds, with the sea always playing a vital role in the life of its communities

Invergordon has been used as a port throughout history with the first proper harbour works being initiated in 1785.  During the 18th and 19th centuries it was principally used to ship grain and livestock south.

Notable Dates

• As far back as the Jacobite risings (1715 and 1745) the Navy had a presence in Invergordon
• The Ministry of Defence designated Invergordon a permanent base in 1912 until their withdrawal in 1993
• During the First and Second World Wars the Cromarty Firth was of strategic importance as a Naval Base
• Early 1970s saw a move towards North Sea Oil with the Nigg Fabrication Yard being opened
• 1971 the Alcan Smelter was completed with associated Saltburn Pier.  The Smelter closed in 1981
• 1973 formation of CFPA
• 1973 CFPA owned the West Harbour and was responsible jointly with the Navy for the conservancy functions of the Port
• 1974 Highland Deephaven opened
• 1979 British National Oil Corporation announced its intention to construct a North Sea Base at Invergordon 
• 1981 Beatrice Oil Field started production
• 1980-82 Proposed refinery at Nigg (National Bulk Carriers)
• 1983 The Sedco 700 was the first oil rig to undertake repair works at the Invergordon Service Base
• 1984 Withdrawal of the Navy and the closure of the refuelling base
• 1984 The Moray Firth Service Company, one third owned by CFPA, was founded to operate the Service Base
• 1988 Pilotage for the Firth passed from the Navy to CFPA 
• 1990s the Navy retained a presence in the Firth, although it had no statutory role other than the operation of the Admiralty Pier until its withdrawal in 1993
• 1994 CFPA bought out the Wood Group and J P Knight shares in the Moray Firth Service Company