Wow! Its been a fair few weeks since Jo and I spent a fabulous few days atThe Auld Shop Cottage in Portsoy, our newest Pack Holidays cottage.
There’s lots to love about the Auld Shop Cottage. Firstly the cottage is so cosy with an open fire (and wood left out for non summer season). Secondly the short walk to the harbour and the total friendliness of the locals and locality
There is a fab sea / harbour view from the living room window, plenty parking outside, great kitchen facilities and THE most fabulous bath for the best relaxing soak ever!!,
Just so special! Have a look at the cottage and all it’s information here
What did we get up to? And, what resources did we find? where could you visit and what can you do? Sit – ye – down and I’ll tell you all 😉
What Is In Portsoy?
First of all, did you know that the old harbour dates back to the 16th Century when Mary, Queen of Scots signed the charter that established Portsoy as a burgh? Amazing history all around you in this location
Its historic setting and buildings has made and continues to make it a popular location with film and TV producers.
Take a very short walk to the harbour to see the most famous resident of the village – The Portsoy Dolphin. Its well worth the short walk up a tiny hill to for a photo and take in the stunning sea view. You also get a fabulous birdseye view of the whole harbour and village too
The famous Portsoy Dolphin
Just another stunning view from the harbour!
Do pay a visit into the PortHouse right on the harbour! A fabulous new Bistro / Cafe which is very dog friendly and is doing right proper lovely Scottish food with a twist!
Wander along the harbour to the beach. There is a fabulously quiet and sheltered beach a street away to have a lovely stroll
Walk up to Seafield Street and you will find the local park which is utterly dog friendly and has a lovely lake. Peaceful and usually empty but if you have dogs off lead, do note the field behind it, which usually has very lovely, calm horses there. Paved walks all the way along and very flat too!
Take a trip round the harbour and see if you can spot the gorgeous diddy little lighthouse, just lovely!
Wander around the village and see if you can spot all the boats, the creels, and all manner of fishing relics and history.
Places to Eat and Drink Locally
Your first stop has to be The Port House right on the harbour, run by Liz, the most amazing and lovely lady. She has created a fabulous, fresh menu using local ingredients, focussing on Scottish fayre with a VERY special twist. You will not be disappointed!
Fancy a coffee / cake / soup. Do try Portsoy Coffee Shop and Bistro on the High Street. It’s a small, friendly cafe with lovely soup (we can absolutely vouch for that!)
Do stop in at the Station Hotel on Seafield Street, which serves lovely food (vegetarian too) and is dog friendly. Locally caught seafood is of course a speciality with daily specials on the blackboard
If you fancy a takeaway, how about Hook, Line and Sinker, the famous fish and chip shop. But do remember if you want fish and chips, ask for a ‘’fish supper’’! Fabulous fish and chips and all fish caught locally
Or a Chinese takeaway? The lovely Portsoy Chinese Takaway in Seafield Street has some fab and groovy dishes
Portsoy Amenities
There is a local chemist (Davidsons) on Seafield Street, Donaldsons Bakers (Seafield Street)……. Ooooh the cakes, the cakes! There is a handy cash machine on Seafield Street (just before the bakers)
The local Co-op shop in Seafield Street has everything you need for your holiday at the Auld Shop Cottage (yes, we tested it out fully!!), a little newsagent/Post Office next door and best of all the fabulous Portsoy Ice Cream there, which you HAVE to try!! The current rolling range exceeds one hundred ice creams and sorbets and from Salted Caramel to Pistachio and from Strawberry Cheesecake to Mojito sorbet. Try the Portsoy Ice Cream Coffee Corner too which has a large selection of hot and cold drinks from espressos and teas to iced lattes, smoothies and shakes. Dairy free milk alternatives are available.
Or try the famous homemade soft and sweet bubble waffle cones, homemade Belgian waffles and ice cream sundaes (made in front of you), which can be accompanied and personalised by your chosen ice creams, hot sauces, and luxury toppings.
Fancy browsing round a proper real life kilt and tartan shop? Try Soy Kilts in Seafield Street! Fabulous it is
Sandend
Sandend is perhaps the smallest of the many old fishing villages scattered along the north-facing coasts of Moray and Aberdeenshire. It is also one of the most attractive.
The village lies just three miles from Portsoy (very walkable) and on the west side of the Scattery Burn as it flows into the Moray Firth at the west end of the expanse of sand lining Sandend Bay.
You can also do a circular walk too, (which gives you a great opportunity to search out local food and drink!)
The oldest part of Sandend huddles around the south side of its harbour. The village actually predates many of the much larger towns and villages along this coast, being very well established by the early 1600s. The harbour you see today was constructed in the 1800s, and it seems likely that most of the fisher cottages that huddle around it, end on to the sea, date back to around the same time.
A mile to the west along the coast is Findlater Castle. Its precarious and dangerous ruins sit atop a spur projecting from the cliffs, having been abandoned for a more modern house in Cullen by the Ogilvies of Findlater in the 1600s. A little inland from the castle, near the parking area, is a doocot dating back to the 1500s.
At the east end of Sandend Bay is Glenglassaugh Distillery. It was built to be powered by the waters of the Burn of Fordyce in 1875. Another natural resource was already in use at the Glassaugh Windmill, built in the early 1700s and still standing as a stump surrounded by a lower base: which explains its local name of the cup and saucer.
Lots more information to come soon…..!!!!