Alness, village, Highland council area, historic county of Ross-shire, historic region of Ross and Cromarty, northern Scotland, situated on the northern shore of the Cromarty Firth. The village was planned in the 1970s to accommodate commuters to nearby Invergordon’s new industries, in particular an aluminum smelting plant (now closed) and goods and services for the North Sea oil industry; the latter included construction of one of the world’s largest dry docks and the manufacture of oil rigs. The local economy’s engine is the service sector, including tourism. Visitors are attracted by the town’s renowned floral displays and two whisky distilleries. Pop. (2001) 5,150; (2011) 5,780.