Salmon bothies and folk flurries
The 15th Scottish Traditional Boat Festival will take place on 20-22 June, the organisers have announced.
And the team already has an exciting line-up of events and attractions booked in, showing off local nautical sights, creative Scottish crafts, sumptuous local produce and the finest in traditional music and entertainment.
The theme of this year’s event is Salmon Cobbles and Silver Darlings, in recognition of the planned restoration of the historic Salmon Bothy at Portsoy.
Funding totalling more than £390,000 has been raised to restore the notable building, the title of which has now been transferred to the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival.
Roger Goodyear, Chairman of the Boat Festival, says: “The restoration of the Salmon Bothy is an extremely important occasion for Portsoy and the surrounding area.
“Immense efforts have gone into achieving the development of what will be a significant new attraction for the Banffshire region.
“Work has started on the refurbishment, and the Salmon House will be officially opened at this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, marking the culmination of this major project.”
Once complete the Salmon House will feature an exhibition profiling the salmon fishing industry alongside the social and industrial industry of Portsoy.
Roger continues: “Fishing has always played an integral role in this area, with Portsoy boasting a buoyant salmon and herring industry in its heyday.
“This year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival will celebrate the proud history of the area in terms of its fishing heritage.
“Historic and contemporary exhibits will reflect the role fishing has played over the years, while the programme of events will include the unique mix of tremendously beautiful boats, fine foods and exceptional music and entertainment for which the festival is famous.”
