Have Cromarty Firth cruise liner horn blasts been silenced for good? The jury is out...
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
CRUISE ships sounding a farewell blast of the horn as they leave the Cromarty Firth are being asked to refrain from doing so – for now – following a complaint.
A wrangle has broken out over the issue after a complaint apparently logged by a resident of the Black Isle community of Cromarty over the practice.
A record-breaking number of cruise liners are visiting the deep water port of Invergordon this season in a trade estimated to be worth £20m to the Highland economy.
RELATED: Invergordon visited by biggest cruise liner of season to date
With more than 125 vessel visits currently scheduled, at least 200,000 seaborne tourists are expected to arrive at the Easter Ross Port between April and mid-October.
But the sounding of horns – a long-standing practice – has created strong feelings after a complaint, with a petition now circulating appealing for the return of the tradition.
The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) today meanwhile said it would be seeking the views of local communities on the long-standing practice of cruise ships sounding their horns as they leave the Firth.
The PoCF holds quarterly joint meetings with the nine community councils which border the Firth and the complaint and feedback about the farewell traditions will be discussed at their next meeting on June 29.
A spokesperson for the PoCF said: “At the moment, following a complaint from a member of the public in Cromarty, cruise ships are still being asked to refrain from sounding their horns as they leave the Firth.
“We will seek the views of the communities around the Firth at our next quarterly joint community councils meeting later this month. If people feel strongly for or against the ship’s farewell horn blasts, we urge them to share their feedback with their local community council or directly with the Port before the June 29, so that this can be taken into account.
“The ships continue to sound their horns as they leave Invergordon and, If the communities of Cromarty and Nigg feel strongly about them sounding their horns as they leave the Firth, we will respect the wishes they express and advise the cruise ship operators accordingly.”
One bemused local resident took to social media to state: "Let ships toot their hooters as they pass through the Sutors."
What do you think? Leave a message here or email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
