The Website for Cromarty & Cromartie Cousins Around the World.

Although there has never been any historical record of Cromartys living in Cromarty, the town is of great significance to us. It is thought that the first 'Cromarty' was John Urquhart who went from the town to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay and was then known as John O' Cromarty.

The town of Cromarty is located at the eastern tip of The Black Isle, to the east of Inverness. It is a beautiful town, reported to be the finest 18th century seaport town in Europe. The Cromarty Firth runs along the northern edge of the Black isle and has been recognised from Pictish times as a very safe mooring. During WWII the British Fleet moored in Cromarty Firth. Now used mainly for the storage of oil platforms, although the upper reaches still retain their natural beauty. Dolphins live in the Firth and the Black Isle supports a variety of wildlife and flora.

The Cromarty Arts Trust, together with the Cromarty Harbour Trust, has undertaken the construction of an Emigrant Stone to celebrate the contribution that Scottish emigrants and their descendants have made around the world. Cromarty was a major emigrant port during the 18^th century and the memorial – a massive slab of Caithness Stone, 4.45 metres (13 feet) high, has been erected near the entrance to Cromarty Harbour, often the last view of the Scottish mainland seen by emigrants.

Richard Kindersley, acknowledged to be amongst the finest letter carvers in the world, completed the Stone in August 2002. On one side he has inscribed the names of the ships which took emigrants from Cromarty to Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand :

Ami; Ann; Asia; Blagdon; Boyne; Brilliant; Canada: Cleopatra; Clio; Corsair; Dalmarnock; Diligence; Economist; George; Good Intent; Headleys; Industry; Isabella Simpson; John; Jane Kay; Kate; Lady Grey; Lady MacNaughton; Lamb; Lord Brougham; Planet; Poland; Ropbert & Margaret; Rover; Salamis; Theodora; Triton; Tweed; Vestal; Viewforth; XYZ; Zealous and Zephyr.

On the reverse he has inscribed this poignant extract from the journal of Hugh Miller:

The ‘Cleopatra’, as she swept past the town of Cromarty, was greeted with three cheers by crowds of the inhabitants and the emigrants returned the salute, but mingled with the dash of the waves and the murmurs of the breeze, their faint huzzas seemed rather sounds of wailing and lamentation than a congratulatory farewell.

The Emigrant Stone is a beautiful addition to the Cromarty foreshore and The Cromarty Arts Trust is seeking contributions to the cost of the Stone. If you are able to contribute your own ‘three cheers’ to the courage, energy and vision of our ancestors and their unique contribution to their New World, please send a tax-deductible (for UK residents) donation towards the Emigrant Stone to The Cromarty Arts Trust, Cromarty House, Cromarty, IV11 8XA, Scotland. The Cromarty Arts Trust will confirm receipt of all donations.