Portsoy Harbour

The old harbour in Portsoy is one of the village’s most iconic features. Frequently photographed, it's instantly recognisable thanks to its unusual construction—horizontal stone walls that echo the natural rock formations along this stretch of coastline.The ‘new harbour’, built in 1825 to accommodate Portsoy's once-thriving herring fleet, is a testament to the town’s rich maritime heritage. While only a few small boats operate from the harbour today, Portsoy remains synonymous with fine seafood.Portsoy is also home to a much-loved culinary treasure—Portsoy Ice Cream. This charming shop offers an array of unique flavours, from sticky toffee pudding to apple crumble. Grab a cone and enjoy a leisurely walk around Loch Soy, where you can even hire a boat and paddle among the ducks.To delve into the area’s seafaring history, visit the Salmon Bothy, a community-run museum accredited by Museums Galleries Scotland. Housed in the old ice chambers, it tells the story of salmon fishing, boatbuilding, and local life. The former net store upstairs now hosts musical and theatrical performances, while the old sleeping quarters have been transformed into a genealogical research facility.Portsoy is also renowned for its distinctive ‘marble’—actually a polished red and green serpentine stone. Once used in grand buildings across the globe, including the Palace of Versailles, Portsoy marble continues to be crafted into beautiful objects, which can be purchased from a shop located in one of the restored quayside warehouses.