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Coordinates: 57°41′17″N 4°09′25″W / 57.68792°N 4.15704°W / 57.68792; -4.15704
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{{Short description|Town in Scotland}}
{{About||the locality in Australia|Invergordon, Victoria|the rural municipality in Saskatchewan, Canada|Rural Municipality of Invergordon No. 430}}
{{About||the locality in Australia|Invergordon, Victoria|the rural municipality in Saskatchewan, Canada|Rural Municipality of Invergordon No. 430}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
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| postcode_area = IV
| postcode_area = IV
| dial_code = 01349
| dial_code = 01349
| static_image_name = Invergordon - geograph.org.uk - 46760.jpg
| static_image = Invergordon - geograph.org.uk - 46760.jpg
}}
}}
'''Invergordon''' ({{IPAc-en|,|ɪ|n|v|ər|'|g|ɔr|d|ən|}}; {{lang-gd|Inbhir Ghòrdain}} or {{lang|gd|An Rubha}}) is a town and [[port]] in [[Easter Ross]], in [[Ross and Cromarty]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], [[Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gittings |first1=Bruce |last2=Munro |first2=David |title=Invergordon |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst582.html |website=The Gazetteer for Scotland |publisher=School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref> It lies in the parish of [[Rosskeen]].
'''Invergordon''' ({{IPAc-en|,|ɪ|n|v|ər|'|g|ɔr|d|ən|}}; {{lang-gd|Inbhir Ghòrdain}} or {{lang|gd|An Rubha}}) is a town and [[port]] in [[Easter Ross]], in [[Ross and Cromarty]], [[Highland (council area)|Highland]], Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gittings |first1=Bruce |last2=Munro |first2=David |title=Invergordon |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst582.html |website=The Gazetteer for Scotland |publisher=School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society |access-date=30 July 2018}}</ref> It lies in the parish of [[Rosskeen]].


==History==
==History==
[[File:Scotland – Invergordon - Arts Centre - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|[[Invergordon Town Hall]]]]
The town is well known for the [[Invergordon Mutiny]] of 1931. More recently it has also become known for the repair of [[Oil platform|oil rigs]] which line up in the [[Cromarty Firth]] on which the town is situated. In the 1970s and 1980s nearby [[Nigg, Highland|Nigg]] was known for the construction of these rigs. The yard used for this is now attempting to re-establish itself as a fabricator of large offshore wind turbines and oil rig refurbishment since being purchased by Global Energy Group.
The town built up around the harbour which was established in 1828.<ref>{{canmore|num=14499|desc=Invergordon, Shore Road, Harbour| access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> The area became a [[police burgh]] in 1863<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10360080 |title=Invergordon Burgh|publisher=Vision of Britain|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> and [[Invergordon Town Hall]] was completed in 1871.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB35077|desc= High Street, former Town Hall and Playhouse Cinema |access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref>


The Invergordon Grain Distillery, operated by Philippines-owned whisky giant [[Whyte & Mackay]], was established in 1959.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scotchwhisky.com/whiskypedia/5890/invergordon-distillers/ |title=Invergordan Distillers|publisher=Scotch Whisky|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> Connected to the distillery was the [[Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band]] which was formed in 1964.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/Features/Reflections/44-Years-Ago-3902.htm |title=44 Years Ago |publisher=ross-shirejournal.co.uk |access-date=6 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306111921/http://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/Features/Reflections/44-Years-Ago-3902.htm |archive-date=6 March 2015 }}</ref>
For a number of years Invergordon was the site of an [[aluminium smelter]] until 1981 when [[British Aluminium]] closed it down. The pipeline that covered the conveyor belt from the smelter to the BA pier was not dismantled until the early 2000s and the two large tanks still stand today as well as a water tower.


⚫
In 1971, the [[British Aluminium Company]], which was 47% owned by [[Reynolds Metals]], opened an [[aluminium smelter]] at Invergordon.<ref name="nytba">{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=John M. |title=British Aluminum Debut Faces World Glut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/05/29/archives/british-aluminum-debut-faces-world-glut-plants-in-britain-face.html |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=29 May 1971}}</ref>
It still has a grain [[whisky]] [[distillery]], operated by Philippines-owned whisky giant [[Whyte and Mackay]], the output of which contributes to many blended whiskies. Connected to the distillery was the [[Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band]].


⚫
==Naval base==
At present the port is visited by many large [[cruise liners]] each year, as the deep water port allows disembarkation for [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] tours in the northern [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]].
The naval institute was designed in 1914 by Edinburgh architect [[Stewart Kaye]] in anticipation of the [[First World War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=401877 |publisher=Dictionary of Scottish Architects|title= Stewart Kaye|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> The naval base was the venue for the [[Invergordon Mutiny]] of 1931.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/content/view/147/234/ |title=The Invergordon Mutiny of 1931 |publisher=Sea Your History |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206000336/http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/content/view/147/234/ |archive-date=6 December 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Remains of the [[naval base]] are evidenced in the tank farm lying behind the town centre; the port used to contain fuel oil and water supplies for naval ships (see [[Inchindown oil tanks]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-14418588|title=Return to Highlands' Inchindown secret tunnels|last=McKenzie|first=Steven|date=8 August 2011|work=[[BBC Scotland]]|publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>


One German bomb hit one of the tanks during the [[Second World War]] when a large [[flying boat]] base occupied much of the northerly coast of the [[Cromarty Firth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/19219/documents/wwii/invergordon%20wwii%20memories%2016-4-2017.pdf |title=Memories of Invergordon in World War II |page=18|date=16 April 2017|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> The naval base closed in 1956<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/invergordon/invergordon/index.html|title=Invergordon|publisher=Undiscovered Scotland|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> (though the Oil Fuel Depot was retained in service until 1991).<ref>{{Hansard|1991/jul/16/naval-support-infrastructure}}</ref> On 27–28 May 1957 the [[Royal Navy]] held a [[fleet review (Commonwealth realms)|fleet review]] in the waters off the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/queen-and-duke-visit-home-fleet|title=Queen And Duke Visit Home Fleet 1957|publisher=British Pathe| access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>
Since the 1970s some would perceive the town as a '[[Glasgow]] colony', since many workers were recruited from southern Scotland to work in the [[oil platform|oil rig]] [[Fabrication (metal)|fabrication]] and [[aluminium]] [[smelting]] industries. As a result, the residents' accents often show more influence from Glasgow, than the surrounding Easter Ross dialect of [[Highland English]] although this has changed in recent years.


Since 1978, the former naval base has been used as a deep water port which has been visited by many large [[cruise liners]] and allows disembarkation for [[Coach (vehicle)|coach]] tours in the northern [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pocf.co.uk/cruise/ |title=Welcome to Invergordon: Gateway to the Highlands|publisher=Port of Cromarty Firth| access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref> In the summer of 2017, the port was visited by the new [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)|HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']] during her sea trials.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-deny-rumours-new-aircraft-carrier-will-mothballed/ | title=MoD deny rumours that a new aircraft carrier will be mothballed | first=George | last=Allison | date=15 January 2017 | journal = UK Defence Journal}}</ref> On 19 June 2021 the last of the Batch-2 [[River-class offshore patrol vessel]]s, [[HMS Spey (P234)|HMS ''Spey'']], was commissioned at a ceremony at the former naval base. The [[Royal Marines Band Service]] was at the ceremony providing musical support.<ref>{{Citation|title=HMS SPEY Commissioned Into ROYAL NAVY 🌊 🚢|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL3euFcu8N0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IL3euFcu8N0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-19}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
⚫
In 1971, the [[British Aluminium Company]], which was 47% owned by [[Reynolds Metals]], opened an [[aluminum smelter]] here.<ref name="nytba">{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=John M. |title=British Aluminum Debut Faces World Glut |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/05/29/archives/british-aluminum-debut-faces-world-glut-plants-in-britain-face.html |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=29 May 1971}}</ref>

In recent years [[Global Energy Group]] have been expanding, with the purchase of the Nigg fabrication yard it has also brought much appreciated work to Invergordon's Docks with the town again full of oil company workers through the day.

⚫
==Naval Base==
The naval institute was designed in 1914 by Edinburgh architect [[Stewart Kaye]] in reaction to the known oncoming war.<ref>Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Stewart Kaye</ref>

Remains of the [[naval base]] are evidenced in the tank farm lying behind the town centre, the port used to contain fuel oil and water supplies for Admiralty ships, and the Admiralty Pier, where once warships docked and which is now used for cruise ships in the summer and oil-field support vessels through the year (see [[Inchindown oil tanks]]).

One German bomb hit one of the tanks during the [[Second World War]] when a large [[flying boat]] base occupied much of the northerly coast of the [[Cromarty Firth]], the result of this being that the fuel oil flowed onto the railway tracks. According to town history the bomb did not explode.

On 27–28 May 1957 the [[Royal Navy]] held a [[fleet review (Commonwealth realms)|fleet review]] in the waters off the town.

The port renewed its military connections in the summer of 2017, when it was visited by the new [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08)|HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']] during her sea trials.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/mod-deny-rumours-new-aircraft-carrier-will-mothballed/ | title=MoD deny rumours that a new aircraft carrier will be mothballed | first=George | last=Allison | date=15 January 2017 | journal = UK Defence Journal}}</ref>

On 19 June 2021 the last of the Batch-2 [[River-class offshore patrol vessel]], [[HMS Spey (P234)]] was commissioned at a ceremony at the former naval base. Her Majesty's Royal Marines Band Scotland was at the ceremony providing musical support.<ref>{{Citation|title=HMS SPEY Commissioned Into ROYAL NAVY 🌊 🚢|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL3euFcu8N0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IL3euFcu8N0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-19}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==Culture==
==Culture==
Line 67: Line 55:


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
In Season 3 of Amazon Prime motoring series [[The Grand Tour]], [[Jeremy Clarkson]], [[James May]] and [[Richard Hammond]] visited Invergordon as part of their journey along the [[North Coast 500|NC500]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/jeremy-clarkson-and-grand-tour-co-hosts-ridicule-scots-town-during-nc500-road-trip-101664 | title=Jeremy Clarkson and Grand Tour co-hosts ridicule Scots town during NC500 road trip }}</ref>
In Season 3 of Amazon Prime motoring series [[The Grand Tour]], [[Jeremy Clarkson]], [[James May]] and [[Richard Hammond]] visited Invergordon as part of their journey along the [[North Coast 500|NC500]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/jeremy-clarkson-and-grand-tour-co-hosts-ridicule-scots-town-during-nc500-road-trip-101664 | title=Jeremy Clarkson and Grand Tour co-hosts ridicule Scots town during NC500 road trip | date=24 February 2019 }}</ref>


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
* [[Jimmy Andrews]], footballer
* [[Jimmy Andrews]], footballer
* [[Robert Brough]]. painter.
* [[Robert Brough]]. painter
* [[John D. Burgess]], piper.
* [[John D. Burgess]], piper
* [[Allan Cameron (British Army officer)|Allan Cameron]], curler
* [[Allan Cameron (British Army officer)|Allan Cameron]], curler
* [[Bryan Gunn]], footballer
* [[Bryan Gunn]], footballer
* [[James MacBain]], Australian politician
* [[James MacBain]], Australian politician
* [[Rob MacLean]], football commentator.
* [[Rob MacLean]], football commentator
* Admiral of the Fleet [[Julian Oswald|Sir John Julian Robertson Oswald]]
* Admiral of the Fleet [[Julian Oswald|Sir John Julian Robertson Oswald]]
* [[Cheryl Paul]], newsreader
* [[Cheryl Paul]], newsreader
* [[Sir Charles Ross, 9th Baronet|Sir Charles Ross]], inventor of the [[Ross Rifle]]
* [[Sir Charles Ross, 9th Baronet|Sir Charles Ross]], inventor of the [[Ross Rifle]]
* [[William Ramsay Smith]], doctor and activist for Indigenous Australian rights.
* [[William Ramsay Smith]], doctor and activist for Indigenous Australian rights
* [[David Sutherland (comics)|David Sutherland]], comic book artist and illustrator best known for illustrating comic strips in [[The Beano]] such as [[The Bash Street Kids]] from 1962 until his death in 2023 and [[Dennis the Menace and Gnasher]] from 1970–1998.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-19 |title=Beano's Bash Street Kids artist David Sutherland dies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64339747 |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>
* [[Luke Stoltman]]. five-time winner of Scotland's Strongest Man, [[2021 Europe's Strongest Man]]
* [[Tom Stoltman]], winner of the [[2021 World's Strongest Man]] competition.
* [[Luke Stoltman]], five-time winner of Scotland's Strongest Man, [[2021 Europe's Strongest Man]]
* [[Tom Stoltman]], Brother of [[Luke Stoltman]], winner of the competition for 3 times, [[2021 World's Strongest Man|2021]], [[2022 World's Strongest Man|2022]] and [[2024 World's Strongest Man|2024]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:09, 8 August 2024

For the locality in Australia, see Invergordon, Victoria. For the rural municipality in Saskatchewan, Canada, see Rural Municipality of Invergordon No. 430.

Invergordon
Invergordon is located in Ross and Cromarty
Invergordon
Invergordon
Location within the Ross and Cromarty area
Population3,930 (2022)[1]
OS grid referenceNH715685
• Edinburgh125 mi (201 km)
• London456 mi (734 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townINVERGORDON
Postcode districtIV18
Dialling code01349
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°41′17″N 4°09′25″W / 57.68792°N 4.15704°W / 57.68792; -4.15704

Invergordon (/ˌɪnvərˈɡɔːrdən/; Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Ghòrdain or An Rubha) is a town and port in Easter Ross, in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.[2] It lies in the parish of Rosskeen.

History

Invergordon Town Hall

The town built up around the harbour which was established in 1828.[3] The area became a police burgh in 1863[4] and Invergordon Town Hall was completed in 1871.[5]

The Invergordon Grain Distillery, operated by Philippines-owned whisky giant Whyte & Mackay, was established in 1959.[6] Connected to the distillery was the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band which was formed in 1964.[7]

In 1971, the British Aluminium Company, which was 47% owned by Reynolds Metals, opened an aluminium smelter at Invergordon.[8]

The naval institute was designed in 1914 by Edinburgh architect Stewart Kaye in anticipation of the First World War.[9] The naval base was the venue for the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931.[10] Remains of the naval base are evidenced in the tank farm lying behind the town centre; the port used to contain fuel oil and water supplies for naval ships (see Inchindown oil tanks).[11]

One German bomb hit one of the tanks during the Second World War when a large flying boat base occupied much of the northerly coast of the Cromarty Firth.[12] The naval base closed in 1956[13] (though the Oil Fuel Depot was retained in service until 1991).[14] On 27–28 May 1957 the Royal Navy held a fleet review in the waters off the town.[15]

Since 1978, the former naval base has been used as a deep water port which has been visited by many large cruise liners and allows disembarkation for coach tours in the northern Highlands.[16] In the summer of 2017, the port was visited by the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth during her sea trials.[17] On 19 June 2021 the last of the Batch-2 River-class offshore patrol vessels, HMS Spey, was commissioned at a ceremony at the former naval base. The Royal Marines Band Service was at the ceremony providing musical support.[18]

Culture

Invergordon is now the premier mural town of the Highlands and hopes to emulate the success of her mentor in Chemainus, British Columbia. Currently the town is adorned with a series of 17 murals. The paintwork created by a selection of artists tells the stories of the local community and the area. This trail is a result of a community project which was initially designed to integrate local community groups (17 in total took part). The trail, which was opened by the Princess Royal, now acts as a major tourist draw.[19]

Infrastructure

Panorama of Invergordon

The town is served by Invergordon railway station which lies on the Far North Line, and is in close proximity to the A9 trunk road.

As of 2012, there is a controversial scheme for a waste incinerator at the Cromarty Firth Industrial Park in Invergordon, which the Scottish government are now reviewing following protests by the local community. The £43 million plant would be built by Combined Power and Heat (Highlands) Ltd.[20]

Education

Invergordon has one secondary school, Invergordon Academy, which is fed by four primary schools, Newmore Primary School, Park Primary School, South Lodge Primary School and Milton Primary School.

In 2013 the Highland Council announced plans for a new "super school" to serve Ross-shire with the preferred option being that it be built in Invergordon. This has seen much protest by locals and is currently under review. If it went ahead Alness and Tain academies would close and there would also be a change to the local primary schools.

In Season 3 of Amazon Prime motoring series The Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond visited Invergordon as part of their journey along the NC500.[21]

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ^ Gittings, Bruce; Munro, David. "Invergordon". The Gazetteer for Scotland. School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh and The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  3. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Invergordon, Shore Road, Harbour (14499)". Canmore. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Invergordon Burgh". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  5. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "High Street, former Town Hall and Playhouse Cinema (LB35077)". Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Invergordan Distillers". Scotch Whisky. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  7. ^ "44 Years Ago". ross-shirejournal.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  8. ^ Lee, John M. (29 May 1971). "British Aluminum Debut Faces World Glut". The New York Times Company.
  9. ^ "Stewart Kaye". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  10. ^ "The Invergordon Mutiny of 1931". Sea Your History. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  11. ^ McKenzie, Steven (8 August 2011). "Return to Highlands' Inchindown secret tunnels". BBC Scotland. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Memories of Invergordon in World War II" (PDF). 16 April 2017. p. 18. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Invergordon". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Naval Support Infrastructure (1991)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 16 July 1991.
  15. ^ "Queen And Duke Visit Home Fleet 1957". British Pathe. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  16. ^ "Welcome to Invergordon: Gateway to the Highlands". Port of Cromarty Firth. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  17. ^ Allison, George (15 January 2017). "MoD deny rumours that a new aircraft carrier will be mothballed". UK Defence Journal.
  18. ^ HMS SPEY Commissioned Into ROYAL NAVY 🌊 🚢, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 19 June 2021
  19. ^ "Invergordon Museum | Gallery". www.invergordonmuseum.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  20. ^ Scotsman article by Frank Urquart, 1 December 2012
  21. ^ "Jeremy Clarkson and Grand Tour co-hosts ridicule Scots town during NC500 road trip". 24 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Beano's Bash Street Kids artist David Sutherland dies". BBC News. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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