Drop anchor – and fill your boots at this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, writes Susan Welsh
Portsoy’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival celebrates its 21st birthday this year, and what a party the village is throwing.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend what has become Scotland’s leading celebration of maritime and cultural heritage, which this year is also regarded as one of the key events in the Year of Homecoming celebrations.
Whether you’re an old sea dog or strictly a landlubber, there’s a host of maritime events taking place with traditional wooden boats from across the UK and beyond congregating in the historic 17th-century harbour.
Visitors will be able to learn how to sail a coracle, climb aboard restored fishing vessels, and see the crews of the St Ayles Skiffs battle it out on the open seas in the annual regatta.
This year will also see the official opening of the PORT Boatshed, a community boat-building workshop which allows training and restoration to be undertaken.
But there’s much more to this special festival than boats, as it also showcases music and dance, crafts, drink and food, so those attending should remember to bring hearty appetites.
During the festival, which runs from tomorrow, Friday, June 27, until Sunday, June 29, there’s a chance to see several local food experts in action, including chef and author Liz Ashworth, who has taken a leading role in co-ordinating the food demonstration programme.
Participants include bass guitarist and keen cook Kyle Ashford, Alan Stewart, who knows all about using quality ingredients when cooking seafood, Alison Arrowsmith, who is involved with Whitehills School’s grow your own project, while Annett Cowie, a Norwegian who has lived in Fordyce for 43 years, will use Portsoy ingredients to make Norwegian dishes.
The food fun starts on Saturday, June 28, at 10am with a Golden Spurtle speciality porridge competition which will see local children battle it out for a place at the World Porridge Championship which take place at Carrbridge in October.
On Sunday, there’s a chance to try soup and sandwiches Norwegian style, while throughout the Wally Green Food Fayre and beyond there’s a chance to taste a great range of local food and drink including Arbroath Smokies from Ian Spink.
Meanwhile, the music programme features the best of traditional music, including popular Scottish folk singers and local favourites.
Reflecting the Year of Homecoming theme, the programme brings together local musicians and performers from around the world, including headliners RURA, festival favourites De Kinkels from the Netherlands, and Slogmaakane, fabulous shanty singers from Norway.
The craft marquee, home to artists and craft workers from across Scotland, will also have plenty to keep landlubbers happy.
Caroline Packman, who is from Buckie originally and is Homecoming Scotland director, said: “Homecoming places the spotlight on our greatest assets and celebrates all that’s great about our country, so it’s only fitting the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival is part of the packed Homecoming programme of events.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for major cultural events and the Boat Festival provides a truly enchanting example of the region’s rich heritage and culture.
“Whether you are interested in crafts, historic vessels, boat races or it’s simply a day out with the family, there’s truly something for everyone at Portsoy.”
Day tickets are priced at £5 for children and £8 for adults. There are also weekend, family and concession tickets available. Under fives go free and car parking costs £2 and includes a programme. Contact www.stbfportsoy.com or The Salmon Bothy, on Links Road, Portsoy, on 01261 842951.