Emigrant Stone, Cromarty

This enigmatic stone slab at Cromarty Links was erected on the 10th October, 2002. Inscribed by leading stone carver Richard Kindersley, it bears the names of most of the emigrant ships which left Cromarty Harbour in the 1830s and 1840s, bound for the colonies. The stone also honours the works of Hugh Miller, Cromarty's famous geologist and author.

One of the ships which left for Canada at this time was the 'Cleopatra'. In 1831 she set off with around 250 settlers bound for the New World. The voyage was hazardous, beset with storms and periods of calm. As a result it took twice as long as the usual 4 to 6 weeks to cross the Atlantic. The following report, believed to be the words of Hugh Miller, was published in the 'Inverness Courier ' on 22 June, 1831,

'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 of a congratulatory farewell.'