Portsoy Event July 2009

The 16th Annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival took place in Portsoy, near Banff from Thursday 2nd July – Sunday 5th July 2009.

A major event in the Homecoming 2009 calendar, the festival was extended by two days, with special seminars and demonstrations focusing on traditional boat design and practice as well as some amazing traditional craft and sailing events.  There was also a great line up in music, dancing, shanty singing, storytelling, heritage, crafts, the food fayre etc., as well as the new genealogical research facility at the Salmon Bothy                          

 This year's spectacular event also celebrated traditional crafts such as knitting and weaving, with the world’s fastest knitter- Hazel Tindall and internationally recognised knitter, weaver and singer Norman Kennedy taking part in the festival.

 The Living Traditions marquee , beside the Salmon Bothy was the place to see and have a go at a wide range of traditional crafts.  There were different hands-on activities over the four days for children and adults, including  knot tying, net making, basket making, gansey knitting, felting, Willow "fish", finger knitting, spinning, weaving, rag rugs, painting, embroidery,etc.   Visitors were also able to have a go at the Great Fid Challenge, and the "Biggest Knit" competition using giant knitting needles  (1.5 metres long!)   

Also, activities at the Institute Hall, included special knitting workshops with Paul Dodwell, featuring knitting in the round, with tips on making socks and ganseys.  Norman Kennedy led a traditional tweed "waulking " (finishing) session in the hall.  This method of hand finishing the wet tweed was accompanied by traditional waulking songs. And children from Portsoy School joined Ruth Black for a school workshop and created a special felted sail for one of the model boats.

To view a slideshow of images from the Living Traditions Marquee and Institute Hall click here. All photos are courtesy of Bodies of Banff - www.banffphoto.co.uk.