Kessock Ferry

[3] 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.

[3] The ferry was caught in a storm early in the evening of 23 February 1894,[4] leading to the death of three ferrymen and three coastguards who were attempting to rescue them.

[6] They were named after relatives of Lord Burton of Dochfour, whose family owned the Kessock Estate and the ferry.

[7] Built by James Lamont & Co of Port Glasgow, she was launched on 7 February 1951[8] and was capable of carrying eight cars, with a small indoor passenger cabin.

It has 30 by 8 m (98 by 26 ft) clear deck space and 10-long-ton (10-tonne) crane and winch facilities for handling oil rig anchor chain, and it is extremely manoeuvrable with twin Voith-Schneider propulsion units.