Old Photographs Black Isle To Inverness Ferry Scotland

Old photograph of the ferry between the Black Isle and Inverness, Scotland. There is an early record of a ferry at Kessock in the 15th century. Over the years sail, steam and diesel powered ferries have crossed the narrows to provide a direct link between the Black Isle and Inverness, until the opening of the Kessock Bridge in 1982. The ferry was caught in a storm in 1894, leading to the death of three ferrymen and three coastguards who were attempting to rescue them. The tragedy was immortalised by the poet William McGonagall. The two steam boats Nellie and Maud formed the Kessock Ferry before, during and until just after the First World War. They were named after relatives of Lord Burton of Dochfour, whose family owned the Kessock Estate and the ferry. In the winter, passengers were usually outnumbered by cattle, sheep and pigs on their way to market.

Old photograph of the ferry between the Black Isle and Inverness, Scotland.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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