Portsoy

Portsoy is a small coastal village on the Moray Firth in Aberdeenshire, between Banff and Cullen. It is best known for its Old Harbour, built in 1692, which is one of the oldest surviving harbours on the north east coast of Scotland and is still ringed by restored 17th and 18th century merchants' houses and warehouses. The village's narrow wynds and stone cottages give it a distinctly historic feel and much of the seafront is a conservation area.

Portsoy is also famous for Portsoy marble, a green and pink serpentine stone that was quarried locally and reputedly used in the decoration of the Palace of Versailles. Small workshops and the Portsoy Marble shop still produce items from the stone today. Each summer the village hosts the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, when the harbour fills with classic wooden sailing vessels and the streets host music, food stalls and craft demonstrations.

The Moray coastal path runs through the village, linking it with sandy bays, cliff walks and other historic fishing settlements. Cafes, an ice cream parlour and a few small galleries make it an easy place to spend a relaxed half day.