| History & Heritage |
The history of the Banffshire Coast has been determined through the centuries by its proximity to the sea. Generations of people have relied on harvesting the bounties of the sea and fertile alluvial land for their survival and prosperity. Archaeological relics of their past continue to be found up and down the coast. The area has a rich geological heritage dating back approximately 350 million years to the Devonian period when it lay submerged by Lake Orcadia. In Cullykhan Bay the visitor can discover treasures such as the bronze-age site of Fort Fiddes where goods were traded with Europe from as early as 700BC. From the 8th century onwards the area attracted the attention of Viking raiding parties. Years of conflict and battles eventually gave way to the invaders either being driven away or settling peacefully leaving a legacy of Norse place names. Evidence of the need to have coastal fortifications can be seen in the ruins of Findlater Castle, clinging precariously to the cliffs near Sandend. The many architectural gems to be discovered by the visitor amply demonstrate the contrasting lifestyles experienced by inhabitants through the centuries. Try Banff for the 18th and19 th century town houses of prosperous merchants and landowners, and the fishing villages of Gardenstown, Crovie and Pennan for the traditional cottages of fishing families, built gable end to the sea as if turning their shoulder into the wind.
The Olgilvie-Grant family has been prominent in the area since 1163 and produced the 1st Earl of Seafield in 1701. As Chancellor of State for Scotland he played an important part in the 1707 Union of Parliaments.
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Nestling down by the sea shore in Portsoy is the Salmon Bothy. Built in 1834 as a commercial ice house and netting loft, this monumental building, now carefully restored, stands proud facing north towards the sea. The Salmon Bothy Museum is housed in what were the ice chambers used for storage of Salmon prior to export. Information panels in each chamber provide an insight into local history, covering the harbours in Portsoy, trade and industry and the salmon fishing, detailing how the building was once used. A splendid array of artefacts from the fishing industry are on show, bringing to life the many stories told. Exhibits range from pulleys and barrows to weighing scales and ice scissors, many of which were actually used by the former owners of Bothy. Visitors can see a scale model of the type of net used for salmon fishing in Portsoy, but perhaps the most impressive exhibit, seen in the middle chamber, is a boat or ‘yawl’ that is thought to date back to the late 1800‘s, built by the great grandfather of the last manager to operate the Salmon Bothy. 
The Sleeping quarters, complete with bunks and stove, now house the Genealogy Research Facility with computing facilities which are open to the public during museum opening hours. The upstairs former netting loft makes an ideal and charming venue for various activities including musical evenings, conferences, workshops and talks. Check our web site for information of events. The space is available to hire and can be viewed on request.
