Cottage in Scotland
Reasons to book
About this cottage rental
Outside there is a storage area for the waste and recycling bins and steps down to the two lockable sheds, should you wish to store bikes, surf boards, SUPs or whatever. There is also a small enclosed patio area, which is still awaiting landscaping. There is a gate from this level out onto the old railway line, now a footpath leading down to the harbour, and the Wally Green.
Portsoy is a welcoming small town, with a lot going on for it's size. It has a fantastic sense of community, with the caravan park, the 4 star Salmon Bothy museum, the Sail Loft Bunkhouse and the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival all being run by the community for the community. It is centred around it's 2 historic seventeenth century harbours, the area little changed in years: it was used as the film setting for the recent remake of Whisky Galore and last series of Peaky Blinders.The fishing industry has largely moved on, but you can often see the town's two St Ayles skiffs rowing out from the harbour (and you will often find me out with them!)
There are some fantastic walks round Portsoy, whether you walk westwards, past the old swimming pool carved out amongst the rocks, along the rugged coastline towards Sandend (pronounced ‘Sanine') or further along to Findlater Castle, Sunnyside Beach and Cullen, or eastwards along the Coastguard's path. There is the Shore Inn between the cottage and the harbours… and of course the award winning Portsoy Ice Cream shop.
The Banffshire coast is one of the world's outstanding coastlines, says the National Geographic. Natural beauty combines with plentiful wildlife - there are dolphins, seals, puffins and other seabirds in abundance, if you are lucky enough to see them. Fishing villages all along the coast perch on clifftops, or crouch precariously at the water's edge, with the oldest houses built gable-end on to the weather and the waves. In the summer, the light up here is special, days are near endless. Winter skies are dark and starry and - with a bit of luck - you might even see the Northern Lights! We hope you will visit Portsoy and discover this often overlooked, largely midge free corner of the North East of Scotland for yourselves
Green Things
We try to manage our all our cottages in as sustainable a manner as possible. We recycle everything and provide information so our guests can do the same. We are aiming to reduce our use of plastics, by refilling (handsoaps) or sourcing products without plastic packaging (toilet paper, detergents etc). We both drive electric vehicles. I try not to use the tumble dryer, whatever the weather, line drying sheets and towels outside whenever possible. And we have recommendations of local activites, food suppliers and attractions so you can reduce your carbon footprint once you are here. A small start perhaps, but a step in the right direction!
