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The Scottish seaside hidden gem village home to ‘the best fish and chips ever’

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6 months ago

June 19, 2024

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The Scottish seaside hidden gem village home to ‘the best fish and chips ever’

June is well underway, and July is not all that far off.

That means one thing and one thing only: it is time for a summer day out. You can’t really go wrong no matter where you head in Scotland for a day trip, but there is no better place to spend a sunny afternoon than by the coast.

For that reason, the Daily Record has chosen Portsoy as our latest Village of the Week. The charming port is nestled along the Moray Firth, around 50 miles out of Aberdeen.

Centred around a gorgeous harbour that dates back to the 17th century, Portsoy has that classic maritime charm that is just perfect for a holiday. While you could easily spend hours just sitting and taking in the sea views, there is a wealth of things to do around the village.

From the historic Portsoy Marble to the treasure trove of scenic coastal walks in the surrounding area, it is hard to think of a better staycation spot. There is even a popular chippy in the village that is said to serve up the “the best fish and chips ever”.

This weekend, Portsoy is also hosting its annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival — so there has never been a better time to visit. The festival will see heritage boats from all over the country drop anchor in the harbour for two jam-packed days of celebrations.

Continue reading for a few photos that will no doubt convince you that a trip to Portsoy is a great idea this summer. You can also find a selection of the Daily Record’s past towns and villages of the week below:

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Walking around Portsoy is almost like stepping back hundreds of years in time, with the seaside village feeling worlds away from the hubbub of modern life. When first arriving, it is worth taking a stroll around down to the stunning and historic harbour, passing by the Portsoy’s charming independent businesses on the way.

(Image: lucentius / Getty Images)

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One of the most notable buildings in town, and a must-visit for any tourist, is Portsoy Marble. A huge export back in the 18th century, Portsoy marble — which is not actually marble but serpentinite found in greenish or reddish hues — is believed to have been used for fireplaces at the Palace of Versailles. Today, the Portsoy Marble Shop sells a wide variety of Portsoy marble, with the collection growing to also offer a range of crystals, gemstones, minerals, and fossils.

(Image: Stanley Howe / Portsoy Marble)

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This year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival will take place on June 22 and June 23 in Portsoy for its 31st anniversary. The one-of-a-kind event will see colourful boats far and wide sail to the village for a weekend of music and dance, food and drink, and handmade items and gifts.

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Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of opportunity for picturesque coastal walks around Portsoy. The Portsoy and Sandend Circular is especially stunning, taking you to the equally beautiful nearby village of Sandend and back. All in all, it should take you a couple of hours. There is even a beach at Sandend where you can soak up some sun if you’re lucky with the weather.

(Image: SteveAllenPhoto / Getty Images)

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If you do head to Sandend, you will no doubt have worked up quite an appetite by the time you get back to Portsoy. Even if you don’t, there is no better capper to a day by the sea than a classic fish supper. Luckily, Hook Line and Sinker has you covered. This classic chippy has an average rating of four out of five on Tripadvisor based on 112 reviews. Recent customers have called it “incredibly tasty” and “delicious” , with one even declaring it “quite simply the best fish and chips ever”.