The Glenglassaugh Scottish Traditional Boat Festival returns to Portsoy on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June. The event will offer a variety of water activities for all ages.
Festival-goers can enjoy coastal rowing in wooden skiffs, bathtubbing challenges, and coracle rides. The historic harbour will host around 30 traditional boats alongside live music, Scottish food, and craft demonstrations.
The Wally Green Kids’ Zone will feature activities for younger visitors, while the RNLI Macduff and Buckie lifeboats will promote water safety. HM Coastguard will showcase its emergency equipment.
"We’ve extended our programme of on-water activities," said Richard Thorne, maritime co-ordinator. Attendees can participate in the popular Raft Race at 2.30 pm on Saturday, using homemade rafts powered by paddles.
New to the festival last year, bathtubbing allows participants aged 10-16 to steer two joined bathtubs through a course on Sunday afternoon. Thorne noted, “Participants really enjoyed it, and we expect it to be popular again.”
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Trust will demonstrate how to care for marine life found on beaches.
While registration for the raft race and bathtubbing remains open, Thorne encourages teams and participants to sign up. For details on registration, visit www.stbfportsoy.org/takepart.
The festival began in 1993 to celebrate Portsoy’s old harbour. It occurs annually during the summer, attracting thousands from across the region and beyond.
