Project of the week

A highly significant assemblage of historic harbour buildings dating from circa 1765, bequeathed as a group for the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) to preserve and maintain in perpetuity. Situated at the heart of the village, all the buildings are held in high affection by the local community, having been cared for by Tom Burnett-Stuart. The harbour and its buildings have been used as a film location (Whisky Galore re-make in 2016 and Peaky Blinders in 2021).

Portsoy is known for the locally quarried ‘Portsoy marble’, also known as serpentine. Not a true marble, it is a stone typically found in greenish or reddish hues, which was widely used in decorative architecture and jewellery. One of the harbour buildings had been used for working and polishing Portsoy marble since 1964.

Currently, the Trust is progressing plans for the Portsoy Marble Creative Hub project, which will see two of the harbour buildings - the Marble Warehouse and the Marble Workshop - redeveloped into a Creative Hub, with artist studios, gallery space, open-plan co-working space, an artist-in-residence flat and retention of the (current) marbles shop. The development of the remaining unused warehouses will take a phased approach, with uses such as self-catering units, a water sports facility, and a restaurant being considered.

The harbour attracts a high number of visitors during the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, held in June each year, and the current scheme responds directly to the needs of both local people and visitors in accommodating this popular event.

 “We are indebted to the late Tom Burnett-Stuart for the wonderful bequest of six historic buildings at the Old Harbour. We are working hard to bring the buildings back into productive use to ensure they are conserved for future generations to enjoy. The Trust has been tirelessly supported by the AHF for over 20 years and, true to form, they are generously helping us with our endeavours in Portsoy”.

NESPT Chairman, Marcus Humphrey