Portsoy’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival celebrates maritime heritage as Emmerdale star Chris Chittell makes a splash
Thousands of people made their way to Portsoy at the weekend to enjoy the 32nd Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.
Emmerdale acting legend Chris Chittell, who is best known for his role as Eric Pollard, officially opened the event in the warm sunshine.
Visitors of all ages were able to experience a wide range of on the water activities during the festival.
From coastal rowing in a traditional wooden skiff to bathtubbing, people were able to test their sea legs.
Portsoy’s historic harbour was transformed into a hub of seafaring celebration as around 30 traditional boats from across the country dropped anchor for a weekend of live music and dance, Scottish food and drink, and age old crafts.
The Wally Green Kids’ Zone had a range of activities and entertainment for younger attendees.
HM Coastguard showcased specialist equipment and explained the emergency assistance they provide to keep people safe along the coast.
One of the highlights of the festival programme was the Raft Race which took place in the Old Harbour. Teams of three competed to make it across the harbour, and back again, in their own homemade raft using paddle power only.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Trust performed a demonstration of how whales, dolphins and seals can be cared for and helped if they find themselves on a beach.
Festival chairman David Urquhart said at the opening ceremony: “We are delighted to welcome our special guest Chris Chittell to this year’s event.
“We have gathered a number of boats to celebrate the north-east maritime heritage.
“It gives a great insight to what the sea mariners had to do to catch fish for us all.”
The Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was first held in 1993 as an event to celebrate the tercentenary of Portsoy’s old harbour.
Since then, it has been firmly anchored in the town’s calendar, taking place annually each summer and attracting thousands of visitors from across the region, and further afield.
The festival is set around Portsoy’s 17th century harbour and is run by Portsoy Community Enterprise which also manages Portsoy Links Caravan Park, The Sail Loft Bunkhouse, The Salmon Bothy and The Boatshed.
