The Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) has continued its support for Culbokie Community Trust (CCT), providing a further £2,500 through its Community Sponsorship Programme towards the running costs of the public toilets at Culbokie Green.
The toilets, which opened in May 2025, are the only public toilet facilities on the north of the Black Isle. They are available free of charge and include an accessible toilet, three unisex cubicles and a baby changing facility.
The facilities are well used by residents and visitors to Culbokie Green, including families enjoying the play area and outdoor table tennis table. They are also regularly used by care workers, delivery drivers, local workers and drivers using the adjacent PoGo EV charging point, as well as cyclists and walkers. The John o’ Groats Trail passes through Culbokie, making the facilities particularly valuable to walkers.
The toilets are also of benefit to older people and those with additional needs, providing accessible facilities in a rural community.
Paul Wadge, Chair of Culbokie Community Trust, said: “Culbokie Community Trust is extremely grateful to the Port of Cromarty Firth for its continued support with the running costs of the toilets on Culbokie Green.
“The toilet building is the first of three buildings which will form the Community Hub on Culbokie Green. At present, we have the toilets and a potting shed, and we now have all the funding in place to build our next building, The Space, which will include business spaces and private treatment rooms. The third building will be a café.
“The support from the Port is helping us maintain this important facility while we continue to develop our longer-term vision for the Green.”
Culbokie Green is also an important biodiversity resource for the community, with paths and play areas available for public use. The Green includes a pollinator bed which provides vital habitat for pollinating insects and has proved particularly popular with bumblebee species this year.
Alex Campbell, Chief Executive at the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “We are delighted to continue supporting Culbokie Community Trust and the village of Culbokie. The toilets provide an important and practical service for both local people and visitors, while Culbokie Green itself is a fantastic community asset that supports recreation, biodiversity and wellbeing.
“We are pleased that our Community Sponsorship Programme can help the Trust maintain the facilities while it works towards delivering its wider vision for the Community Hub.”
The Port’s support will help ensure the toilets remain open and free to use, supporting residents, visitors and those travelling through the Black Isle while contributing to the wider use and enjoyment of Culbokie Green.
The Port’s Community Sponsorship Programme aspires to improve, safeguard and develop Cromarty Firth communities, for the benefit of local people.
Community projects, schools or local charities based in one of the nine communities that border the Cromarty Firth are welcome to apply for support. They can do so by submitting an application form stating the project’s objectives, aspirations and the benefits to the community, along with a letter/email of support from their local Community Council.
Projects must be collaborative and meet one of four eligibility criteria:
- Skills development, employability or job creation,
- Vessel crew or passenger support,
- Environmental protection or enhancement,
- Events or projects which encourage inter-community collaboration.
Application forms are available on the Port of Cromarty Firth website at Community – Port of Cromarty Firth or from [email protected].
