I have been fortunate to have been employed as Events & Marketing Officer by Cromarty Community Development Trust (CCDT) for over a year. Fortunate in so many ways – I have always loved Cromarty, but now I have a deeper connection with those lucky enough to live there. I have also discovered that for a town with a population of approximately 700, there are a great many more volunteers than you might expect. This collective volunteering effort is a major contributor to the tourism appeal of Cromarty.

There are so many groups of community-focused volunteers that I consider Cromarty a flagship community project town. These community projects include our very own community campsite, community sauna, community garden, community thrift shop, community events, and soon a community hub too.

Whilst the appeal for visitors includes opportunities for connecting with nature and the elements, reducing stress and waste, and relaxing in the outstanding beauty of the area, the impacts for locals are perhaps more needs-based. There would be fewer businesses open, and with reduced opening hours, without the community projects that bring visitors to Cromarty. The Trust is fortunate to have a mix of volunteers and paid staff supporting all its initiatives, helping the town retain population that might otherwise be lost. The Trust’s projects also directly address community needs, ranging from reducing isolation to easing campervan parking on residential streets. As individuals, volunteers, and businesses come together to help address local issues, there is an ever-growing sense of pride in what is collectively achieved.

Amplifying that pride, my work for the Trust supported a small initiative – a new social media account sharing Cromarty’s attractions – to evolve into a stunning new website promoting Cromarty, launched in 2026. Our Trust’s Board Chairman said the website:

Not only celebrates Cromarty’s rich history and stunning coastal setting, but also shines a light on the fantastic local businesses, events, and community initiatives that make this place so special. It’s a brilliant example of what can be achieved through community effort, and we hope it inspires many more people to come and experience Cromarty for themselves.

Our Visit Cromarty initiatives continue to expand as we explore ways to attract visitors to become both patrons and volunteers at our community assets. We hope to offer an authentic experience of helping to maintain what makes us special, while also inviting guests to experience life like a local. We see this implemented successfully elsewhere, and the challenge will be to find our own unique community-driven offer.