A new and exciting visitor attraction has launched in the Scottish Highlands, bringing a popular cruise trend ashore. Invergordon now hosts the UK’s first land-based cruise duck trail, transforming the town into an interactive experience for cruise passengers and other visitors. This initiative encourages exploration beyond the port, inviting visitors to discover local businesses, cafés, and attractions in the town centre.
Inspired by the global craze of cruise passengers hiding and swapping rubber ducks, the Invergordon Duck Trail aims to bring that sense of fun and discovery to land. The project, a collaboration between the Port of Cromarty Firth, Invergordon Off the Wall, and Invergordon Museum, seeks to boost footfall for local businesses during the busy cruise season.
Explore The Town One Duck At A Time
The trail offers a simple three-step experience for visitors arriving in port. Guests start by spotting duck decals placed throughout the High Street and town centre. Each stop features a QR code that, when scanned, provides information about the duck’s design and the associated business. This helps visitors uncover local shops, attractions, and services they might otherwise overlook. Participants are encouraged to track how many ducks they find, with 11 ducks currently forming the launch trail. These are spread across various businesses and organisations, including Invergordon Museum, McRaes of Scotland, Clootie McToot Café, Bonnie Bhaji, and Invergordon Gallery. All stops are within easy walking distance of the Port of Cromarty Firth, making the trail accessible for passengers with limited time ashore. The trail also connects with Invergordon’s established Mural Trail, allowing visitors to combine the duck hunt with a broader exploration of the town’s history, culture, and public art.
Cruise Duck Craze Continues To Grow
Cruise ducks have become a significant trend in the cruise industry, with passengers hiding small rubber ducks around ships for others to find. These ducks often carry tags identifying who hid them and where they travelled from, turning them into miniature travelling keepsakes. The Invergordon initiative extends this idea beyond the ship, creating an interactive activity tailored for port visits. Participating businesses will also sell branded souvenir ducks, offering visitors a keepsake from their visit. This collectible aspect adds another layer of engagement, ensuring the duck craze continues to thrive both on land and at sea.
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