Festivalgoers are weighing anchor, hoisting the sails and setting off for the 22nd Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which takes place this weekend, July 4 and 5, in the picturesque village of Portsoy.
The vibrant two-day festival celebrates Scotland’s maritime and cultural heritage and offers visitors the chance to experience an array of land and sea activities, as well as showcasing the best in crafts, food, drink, music and dance in the country.
Visitors should remember to have their cameras ready, as the sight of a harbour filled with traditional wooden boats which have made their way from all over the UK and beyond is a colourful spectacle that’s not to be missed.
Those attending can also try their hand at building and restoring traditional vessels, learning how to sail a coracle and watch the St Ayles Skiffs go head to head for the highly competitive open-seas regatta.
The event will also feature a selection of highly acclaimed international and national musicians. Friday’s showcase concert is headlined by popular Scottish folksong band Malinky, supported by Shepheard & Watson and The Cast’s Mairi Campbell. Returning by popular demand, Dutch musicians De Kinkels will be playing on the main stage throughout the weekend and will rock the Wally Green Marquee on Saturday night.
There’s also a chance for budding performers to showcase their talents at the Open Mic Night at the Station Hotel, which will be hosted by Folk at the Salmon Bothy.
As 2015 is Visit Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, a key feature to this year’s festival is the Food Fair, also part of the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire FoodFest 15 calendar. Cookery demonstrations will run throughout the weekend, giving visitors the knowledge to recreate their favourite Scottish dish at home.
As always, the whole family is catered for at this festival. A marquee at the Salmon Bothy will provide activities for toddlers and small children, including a gigantic sandpit, soft play castle, ball pond, paint-a-house, build a recycled tower and parachute games. For older children, the Walking Theatre Company presents In a Flying Kitchen, or they can join Doric Days and enjoy creating gigantic children’s crafts. The Wally Green Marquee will host a matinee theatre performance of Half a Cod, performed by the Parrabbola Theatre Company on Saturday.
Continuing with the theatrical theme, Theatre Modo presents Fly Me To the Moon on Sunday at the Scout Hut at Loch Soy. The show is an adventure into space combining circus with clowning to giggle and puzzle at the crazy world. This is a free show, but advance tickets are required. These are available from the Ticket and Information Office, Seafield Street, Portsoy.
For full details, including day, weekend and family tickets, visit www.stbfportsoy.com