Cromarty

Cromarty is a royal burgh in the County of Cromartyshire, in the Scottish Highlands, comprising a seaport in the former administrative county of Ross and Cromarty. It is situated on the southern shore of the mouth of Cromarty Firth, 5 miles from of Invergordon on the opposite coast. It is the county town of Cromartyshire.

The name Cromarty variously derives from the Gaelic crow (crooked), and from bati (bay), or from ard (height), meaning either the "crooked bay", or the "bend between the heights" (referring to the high rocks, or Sutors, which guard the entrance to the Firth), and gave the title to the earldom of Cromarty.

The town grew around its port, formerly used by ferries, to export locally-grown hemp, and by fishing boats trawling for herrings. Today, the port is used for the manufacture and maintenance of oil rigs, and is home to Scotland's smallest car ferry, running to Nigg.

Cromarty is architecturally important for its Georgian terraces, and Victorian cottages in the local vernacular style. The thatched house with crow-stepped gables in Church Street, in which Hugh Miller the geologist was born still stands, and a statue has been erected to his memory. To the east of the burgh is Cromarty House, occupying the site of the old castle of the earls of Ross. It was the birthplace of Sir Thomas Urquhart, the translator of Rabelais.

The burgh is also noted as a base for viewing the local offshore sea life.

This article was adapted from one in the http://1911encyclopedia.org . Update as necessary.