Portsoy Boat Shed

Aberdeenshire

In the late 1800s Portsoy had several active boat builders, plus sail making in the Sail Loft on the Back Green. In 2004, the Boat Festival Trust began its policy of working with children to teach and revive basic principles of wooden boat building. The Boatshed volunteer team has built a wide range of craft, working with people of all ages and abilities. These Outreach Projects have involved working with youngsters, mostly primary school pupils, creating over 60 dinghies and several small boats called Curraghs and a North Sea Faering and a St Ayles Skiff by Banff Academy youngsters. 

During this activity it was identified that a permanent premises was essential and Portsoy Maritime Heritage gifted derelict buildings on the Old Harbour to Portsoy Community Enterprise, who thanks to funding of half a million pounds, transformed the building into the Boatshed, which is a fully equipped workshop with the traditional tools to build boats. It is run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers with a passion for wooden boat building.

You’ll find a friendly welcome and hearty chat as the team share their skills, knowledge and learning.

Activities:

• Displays of current boatbuilding projects, boat plans, traditional and modern tools
• Children's activities relating to boatbuilding

Visitor Information:

• Booking is not required

Facilities

• WC
• Disabled WC
• Limited Access
• Parking
• Events For Children