Portsoy

Portsoy is a small holiday town and is situated on the North East Coast, 54 miles North West of Aberdeen. It has a population of around 2000. The town is built around a picturesque 17th century harbour which is its central attraction. Portsoy was created a burgh of barony in 1550 and its first harbour was considered to be the safest in the North East. As a result it handled a lively trade with England and the continent. During the 1960s many of Portsoy's 17th and 18th century buildings were skilfully restored giving them a whole new lease of life and winning awards such as the Scottish Civic Trust and the Saltire Society. A large part of the town is designated an Outstanding Conservation Area because of its architectural and scenic importance. The town is particularly framed for its marble, cut from a vein of serpentine which runs across the braes to the west of the harbour. Portsoy Marble was greatly appreciated for its beauty and was used in the construction of part of Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles.

Portsoy Harbour

Portsoy's main attraction is its 300 year old harbour. The town has two harbours, the old and new. Sir Patrick Oglivie the 8th Earl of Boyndie, decided the old harbour should be built, it was completed in 1693. The new harbour was built by the Earl of Seafield in 1825 due to ever increasing demand from the herring fishing fleet. This was one of the main harbours on the Banffshire Coast engaged in herring fishery. The Old harbour is now the venue for the Annual Traditional Boat Festival held every summer. Portsoy was once a busy trading port during the 19th century herring boom. At its peak the herring fleet totalled 57 boats. Towards the end of the 19th century the Portsoy fishing fleet moved to the larger harbours of Macduff and Buckie, today the portsoy harbours are used by pleasure craft and creel boats catching lobster and crab.

Portsoy Today

Today, Portsoy has a wide range of visitor facilities. There are many craft businesses in and around the town. It has an open-air swimming pool, boating pond, a variety of small shops, supermarket and play areas. The spectacular coastal scenery offers hours of fascinating exploration. The Annual Traditional Scottish Small Boats Festival is held in Portsoy on Saturday 30th June until Sunday 2nd July, it attracts 20,000 visitors. It is known as the premier event for traditional boat sailors in Scotland.