Portsoy boat festival is a scorcher!
Posted on July 4, 2009 by Marc Hindley
Filed under Local news
It was so hot the tar melted on the streets of the tiny harbour village of Portsoy on Saturday.
Crowds swarmed into the tiny 17th century harbour to soak up the sun on the third day of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.
Traditionally held over two days, the event has expanded this year to span four days and the the organisers have a packed programme of boats, entertainment, traditional crafts of the old fisherfolk, and locally produced foods.
It was a star-studded occasion this year with a visit from the Princess Royal, on official business to open the renovated Salmon Bothy; Donnie Munro, who performed a concert with his band on Friday night, and First Minister Alex Salmond, a regular at the event.
All pictures by Marc and Susan Hindley.
These pictures AND MORE have been added to our Flickr Group STBF. You can add your photos too.
The sun-drenched Portsoy harbour
Chocolatiers Lee Barton and Murray Gillies from The Olive Tree in Mosstodloch are met by Alex Salmond in the food marquee.
Seating was intoduced for the first time at the main stage
Local musicians, left to right, James Cuddy, Hannah Baxter and Samuel Moir from band Downhill on the Flipside entertain the crowds.
An RAF Sea King helicopter circled the harbour three times, much to the delight of those on the headland who got a close view.
The Isabella Fortuna is a firm favourite every year
The Reaper and the Swan dominated the new harbour
Traditional woodworking practices were demonstrated by Galgael
Lynne Jones and Joe Woods from The Pampered Chef in the food marquee at Wally Green.
Tim Palmer demonstrates how to make a basket in the crafts tent
A youngster has a go on the potters wheel
A musical family entertains the crowds
Skip 2 The Beat performed on the main stage
Canadian visitor Alastair has a go at woodturning at the Galgael tent
Arbroath Smokies are a regular attraction at the festival
Traditionally-built boats of all sizes filled the tiny old harbour at Portsoy
A crew member from the Reaper retells the boat's history
This musical duo found a shady spot to strike up a few tunes
Having a go at knitting with four-foot needles
Traditional entertainment is always a big attraction at the festival
A kayaker takes her faithfull friend to the water
Business was brisk in the food marquee at Wally Green
Youngsters had a bouncy slide to burn off excess energy
Mini travellers had a go on the mini bus.
Evelyn Main from the Nairn Spinning Circle
Crowds lined the harbour to watch the boats
Sunbathers soaked up the sun
Related articles:
North-east boat project attracts Royal interest – Press and Journal
hi i was at portsoy doing the guard of honor for princess anne is there any chance of some pictures of the cadets on here?
Hi Amy-Maree, sorry we didn’t get any pictures from Friday, but if anybody has any they would like to share please send them in and we will happily publish them.
Email: mail@morayfirthlive.com
Text: 07797 800359
Flickr Group: STBF
Great selection of photos,fantastic weather and a good crowd.
Will be back next year.
Hmmm…the days might have been scorching fun for some…but your actual nights weren’t that much of a pleasant affair. Drunks roamimg in the gloaming until 2 am managed to damage our car, smash our window and left neat little deposits of sick, chips cartons and half filled beer containers all over the street as usual. Cones as projectiles were an added attraction. Still…fun was had and profit was made.