Over 18 – 19 June the harbour of Portsoy will be a sight to behold with traditional boats from far and wide, docking at the fishing town for the 29th annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.

This event celebrates maritime heritage with a range of delights for all the senses from boats, music and crafts to food for all the family. The festival, which is expected to attract around 16,000 visitors, will see the finest craft in the Scottish historic fishing fleet drop anchor in Portsoy, including the Isabella Fortuna.

One of the oldest boats taking part, the 19th century Fifie is a traditional fishing vessel owned and restored by the Wick Heritage Society and will journey down from Caithness especially for the festival. Also on display will be a former 1978 RNLI Rother Class Lifeboat and a replica of the Loch Broom Post Boat, a small clinker-built sailing vessel used for the delivery of mail to remote communities.

A wide range of traditional craft demonstrations including knitting, crocheting and ceramic painting will all be showcased. The best of Scottish produce is on the menu in the food fayre, with locally caught fish and shellfish taking centre stage alongside Aberdeen Angus beef, wild Scottish venison, handmade cheese, chutneys and jams and locally produced gin, whisky and rum. Visitors can eat their way around the harbour with delights ranging from a ‘Well Hung and Tender’ burger to international flavours including German bratwurst, chicken schnitzel and Frikadellen burgers, Spanish paella and pizza. No visit would be complete without a scoop of Portsoy Ice-Cream!

The festival music programme includes a host of performers, top of the bill are Celtic rockers Skerryvore, who headline the Friday night Big Gig on the Back Green. A full music programme over the weekend will feature a host of music and dance performers. A guaranteed crowd pleaser and a regular to the festival is Scotland’s first competitive skipping club Skip 2 the Beat, who will wow visitors with their fast-paced skipping stunts.

For further information and to purchase tickets visit www.stbfportsoy.org, for festival updates follow @stbfportsoy or #ahoyportsoy on social media.  

Entry to the festival is currently 20 per cent discounted when booked in advance online – £12 for an adult, £8 concession and £4.80 for a child, alternatively a family day pass can be purchased for £28, or an adult weekend pass is £16. A weekend family pass, for access to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is £36.Tickets for the Saturday Ceilidh is £10 per person. 

This year’s festival is supported by EventScotland’s National Events Programme. 

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