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The Great Britain Guide

Towns & cities · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy

Also known as: Port Saoidh

Free admission

Portsoy — village and former small burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

Portsoy, towns & cities in Scottish Highlands

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
3 h–6 h
  • Free entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Dog-friendly

About

Portsoy is a town, city, village or settlement in the United Kingdom. Recent population estimates put it at around 1,740 people. Address: AB45. Wikidata describes it as: "village and former small burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 57.6830°, -2.6880°.

Photo gallery

See it from the streetimagery from 2021

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

Official information

The Salmon Bothy is a historic venue located in Portsoy, Scotland, that serves as a museum dedicated to the town's maritime history and the salmon fishing industry. Visitors can explore exhibits on local industries, including Portsoy marble and fishing, as well as participate in hands-on activities related to traditional boat building and knot tying.

From the Wikipedia article

Portsoy (Scottish Gaelic: Port Saoidh) is a small town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Historically, Portsoy was in Banffshire until 1975. The original name may come from Port Saoithe, meaning "saithe harbour". Portsoy is located on the Moray Firth coast of northeast Scotland, 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Aberdeen and 65 miles (105 km) east of Inverness. It had a population of 1,752 at the time of the 2011 census.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

, now used as a venue for religious gatherings]] Portsoy became a burgh of barony in 1550, under Sir Walter Ogilvie of Boyne Castle, and the charter was confirmed by parliament in 1581. From the 16th century until 1975, Portsoy was in the civil and religious parish of Fordyce but was administered by its own Town Council and Banffshire County Council. Following the commencement of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, on 16 May 1975, lower Banffshire, including Portsoy, became part of Banff & Buchan District Council area which was, in turn, part of the larger Grampian Regional Council area. A further reorganisation of local government in Scotland came via the Local Government etc.…

Visiting

Portsoy, notably the harbour, has featured in BBC period dramas The Camerons, The Shutter Falls and Peaky Blinders and a Tennent's Lager advert parodying the 1949 film Whisky Galore! It was also the principal location for Gillies MacKinnon's film Whisky Galore!, a 2016 remake of the 1949 film; Portsoy represented the fictional island of Todday.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
57.6830, -2.6880
Postcode
AB45
Parliamentary constituency
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Population
1,740

Sources

Other places nearby

Portsoy is a town in the Scottish Highlands with a population of 1,740. Our guide lists nearby attractions within reach.

At a glance

Population
1,740
Constituency
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East

Things to see in Portsoy

51 attractions within 12 km — showing the 24 most editorially-significant. Full guide: things to do in Portsoy

Boyne Castle📷 3

Castles · Scottish Highlands

Boyne Castle

Boyne Castle — castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

👶livebreathescotland.com
Durn Hill Trig Point - geograph.org.uk - 1170678📷 3

Forts · Scottish Highlands

Durn Hill

Durn Hill is a fort in the United Kingdom.

Findlater Castle information Board - geograph.org.uk - 6509177📷 3

Viewpoints · Scottish Highlands

Findlater Castle Viewpoint

Findlater Castle Viewpoint is a viewpoint in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕
Glenglassaugh Distillery cottage - geograph.org.uk - 1832021📷 3

Windmills · Scottish Highlands

Glassaugh Windmill

Glassaugh Windmill is a windmill in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶glenglassaugh.com
Glenglassaugh Distillery📷 5

Distilleries · Scottish Highlands

Glenglassaugh Distillery

Glenglassaugh Distillery — Whisky/spirit distillery.

glenglassaugh.com
New Harbour, Shore Street, Portsoy📷 3

Harbours & ports · Scottish Highlands

New Harbour, Shore Street, Portsoy

New Harbour, Shore Street, Portsoy — harbor in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

Free🐕👶salmonbothy.org.uk
Old Harbour, Shorehead, Portsoy📷 3

Harbours & ports · Scottish Highlands

Old Harbour, Shorehead, Portsoy

Old Harbour, Shorehead, Portsoy — port in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

Free🐕👶salmonbothy.org.uk
Sandend Harbour📷 3

Harbours & ports · Scottish Highlands

Sandend Harbour

Sandend Harbour — harbour at Sandend, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

🐕👶
Sandend Beach near Portsoy - geograph.org.uk - 153389📷 3

Beaches · Scottish Highlands

Sanine Beach

Sanine Beach is a beach in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶
Devonian Pothole - geograph.org.uk - 4424414📷 3

Beaches · Scottish Highlands

Sanine Beach

Sanine Beach is a beach in the United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶glenglassaugh.com
Gillans Steps, Portsoy - geograph.org.uk - 7352156📷 4

Gardens · Scottish Highlands

52–54 Church Street, Portsoy

52–54 Church Street, Portsoy — a garden in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕salmonbothy.org.uk
Michael Gray - geograph.org.uk - 7464904📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

Peaky Blinders Memorial

Peaky Blinders Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶salmonbothy.org.uk
Durn Hill Trig Point - geograph.org.uk - 1170678📷 3

Hill forts · Scottish Highlands

Durn Hill fort (unfinished)

Durn Hill fort (unfinished) — a hill fort in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
St Brandan's Stanes - geograph.org.uk - 686257📷 3

Archaeological sites · Scottish Highlands

St Brandan's Stanes

St Brandan's Stanes — a archaeological in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
Celebrity Appearance - geograph.org.uk - 7529340📷 3

Museums · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy Salmon Bothy

Portsoy Salmon Bothy — a museum in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free👶salmonbothy.org.uk
Fordyce Old Church (St Tarquin) – 1 - geograph.org.uk - 7188772📷 3

Castles · Scottish Highlands

Fordyce Castle

Fordyce Castle — a castle in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

👶
A Small Park - geograph.org.uk - 7173754📷 3

Public art & sculpture · Scottish Highlands

Fordyce - Fuar Deas - The Cold South

Fordyce - Fuar Deas - The Cold South — a public art in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
War Memorial (Two World Wars) - geograph.org.uk - 3106201📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy War Memorial

Portsoy War Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕salmonbothy.org.uk
Fordyce - Old Kirk Bistro - geograph.org.uk - 7843433📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

Fordyce War Memorial

Fordyce War Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
RAF Banff strike wing monument - geograph.org.uk - 3814179📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

RAF Banff Strike Wing Memorial

RAF Banff Strike Wing Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕
Stop, stop^ - geograph.org.uk - 3105994📷 5

Historic churches · Scottish Highlands

Parish Church, Seafield Terrace, Portsoy

Parish Church, Seafield Terrace, Portsoy — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Freenorthern-scot.co.uk
Fordyce - Old Kirk Bistro - geograph.org.uk - 7843433📷 5

Historic churches · Scottish Highlands

Parish Church, Fordyce

Parish Church, Fordyce — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free
Stop, stop^ - geograph.org.uk - 3105994📷 5

Historic churches · Scottish Highlands

St John's Episcopal Church, Seafield Terrace, Portsoy

St John's Episcopal Church, Seafield Terrace, Portsoy — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Freenorthern-scot.co.uk
Tomb of Sir James Ogilvie of Deskford - geograph.org.uk - 7185786📷 5

Historic churches · Scottish Highlands

Old Parish Church of St Talorgan and walled burial ground

Old Parish Church of St Talorgan and walled burial ground — scheduled monument-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free

Nearby

Gillans Steps, Portsoy - geograph.org.uk - 7352156📷 4

Gardens · Scottish Highlands

52–54 Church Street, Portsoy

52–54 Church Street, Portsoy — a garden in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕salmonbothy.org.uk
Public Library, Portsoy - geograph.org.uk - 2616817📷 5

Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy Links Caravan Park

Portsoy Links Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.

War Memorial (Two World Wars) - geograph.org.uk - 3106201📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy War Memorial

Portsoy War Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕salmonbothy.org.uk
War Memorial (Two World Wars) - geograph.org.uk - 3106201📷 5

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

War Memorial, Seafield Street, Portsoy

War Memorial, Seafield Street, Portsoy — category B listed building-listed memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕salmonbothy.org.uk
Celebrity Appearance - geograph.org.uk - 7529340📷 3

Museums · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy Salmon Bothy

Portsoy Salmon Bothy — a museum in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free👶salmonbothy.org.uk
Michael Gray - geograph.org.uk - 7464904📷 3

Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands

Peaky Blinders Memorial

Peaky Blinders Memorial — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶salmonbothy.org.uk

Where to eat & stay near Portsoy

Places to stay

Public Library, Portsoy - geograph.org.uk - 2616817📷 5

Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands

Portsoy Links Caravan Park

Portsoy Links Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.

In the Cemetery, with Back Green and Rope Works beyond - geograph.org.uk - 2616812📷 5

Hostels · Scottish Highlands

The Sail Loft

The Sail Loft — a hostel in scotland highlands.

portsoysailloft.org
House on Durn Road - geograph.org.uk - 2616877📷 5

Hotels · Scottish Highlands

Durn House

Durn House — a hotel in scotland highlands.

Western edge of Sandend beach - geograph.org.uk - 2643473📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Highlands

Sandend Caravan Park

Sandend Caravan Park — a campsite in scotland highlands.

View towards Cullen - geograph.org.uk - 8048307📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Highlands

Cullen Bay Caravan Park

Cullen Bay Caravan Park — a campsite in scotland highlands.

cullenbayholidaypark.co.uk
Horse in paddock - geograph.org.uk - 4590752📷 5

Campsites · Scottish Highlands

Banff Links Caravan Park

Banff Links Caravan Park — a campsite in scotland highlands.

Places to eat & drink

Banff - Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 7839026📷 7

Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands

Railway Inn, 96 North Castle Street, Banff

Railway Inn, 96 North Castle Street, Banff in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.

3 High Shore, Banff - geograph.org.uk - 7190970📷 7

Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands

The Market Arms, 5 High Shore, Banff

The Market Arms, 5 High Shore, Banff in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.

banffandmacduff.co.uk
OS Cut Mark - Rothiemay, Bridge over the Deveron - geograph.org.uk - 4700166📷 5

Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands

Forbes Arms Hotel, Milltown of Rothiemay

Forbes Arms Hotel, Milltown of Rothiemay in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.

Commercial Inn on Mid Street - geograph.org.uk - 3625987📷 5

Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands

Seafield Arms Hotel, 84, 86 Mid Street, Keith

Seafield Arms Hotel, 84, 86 Mid Street, Keith in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.

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Cruden BayFlagship📷 3

Towns & cities · Scottish Highlands

Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay — village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

Free🐕👶
InvernessFlagship📷 3

Towns & cities · Scottish Highlands

Inverness

Inverness — city in the Highlands of Scotland, United Kingdom.

Free🐕👶inverness-scotland.com
Kyle of LochalshFlagship📷 3

Towns & cities · Scottish Highlands

Kyle of Lochalsh

Kyle of Lochalsh — village in Highland, Scotland, UK.

Free🐕👶lochalsh.com
Aberchirder📷 4

Towns & cities · Scottish Highlands

Aberchirder

Aberchirder — village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

Free🐕👶foggieloan.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

Where is Portsoy?
Portsoy is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode AB45).
What is Portsoy?
Portsoy — village and former small burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
How do I get to Portsoy?
Drivers can use postcode AB45.
Is Portsoy free to visit?
Yes, Portsoy is free to enter.
How do I get to Portsoy?
Drivers can navigate to postcode AB45. It sits within the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East parliamentary constituency.