Scottish Harbourside Holiday Cottage
Creel Cottage
The Harbour
Portsoy
AB45 2PA
This quirky heritage Cottage in the Scottish harbour village of Portsoy, Aberdeenshire enjoys stunning views over the Harbour and out to sea with easy access to miles and miles of beautiful sandy coastline, numerous caves and ruins of castles providing homes for a wide range of wildlife.
Creel Cottage is a restored former Fisherman’s Cottage located on the Shore Front of the East Coast Scottish fishing village of Portsoy. Here the sea according to its unceasing tides’ rhythm calmly washes the coast. This former 18th century Scottish fisherman’s cottage has much history with it’s many original period features combined with 21st century comfort.
From here you can gaze out to sea or along the coastline, catch a glimpse of Seals, sometimes Dolphins and maybe the mysterious “Aurora Borealis” Northern lights – it is said that one third of the whole worldwide marine life from Seals and Dolphins to fine Crab and Lobster are said to be preserved on the Moray Firth coastline. Outdoors you can wander along the beaches, discover the sands of beautiful Blackpots Bay, Rockpool’s and maybe an Otter or too…you can also admire Portsoy’s two Historical Harbours.
- Availability and Online Bookings
3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, sleeps 6, Pets Welcome a supplement of £15 per pet per stay.
- Traditional Harbourside Heritage semi-detached Cottage
- Sleeps up to 6 people
- The Bathroom 3 piece bathroom suite with (Shower over) and Wash hand Basin and WC
- Separate Large walk in Shower cubicle, WC and Wash Basin
- 1 x Upstairs King-size Double with antique French Bed
- 1 x Twin Bedroom with antique French Beds
- Further Sleeping capacity for a 5th and 6th Person with Bed Settee
- Fully Fitted Kitchen Fridge / Freezer, Washing Dryer, Dishwasher
- Sitting Room with TV / DVD
- The Second Lounge includes a sofabed, 32″ LCD television
- Dining Table and 4 chairs
- Gas Central heating throughout
- Multi-fuel Stove
- Bedding and Towels included
- Up to 2 Pets Welcome
- Harbour and Sea Views
Other essentials equipment such as glasses, crockery, cutlery and a corkscrew are also provided for your convenience.
Creel Holiday Cottage was originally a pair of fisherman’s houses when it was built in the 17th century at the same as Portsoy harbour was built. It sits at the bottom of a hill directly opposite the harbour pier from where the old boats once left to catch their trawl of herring. Today you will often find the creels stacked on the pier with the odd boat regularly bringing back lobsters. In keeping with its age Creel holiday Cottage is furnished with antiques including the French antique beds and Persian carpets, perhaps somewhat more luxurious than the fisherfolk were used to. Likewise the paintings on the wall are in keeping with its nautical past.
There are spectacular views of the Moray Firth from the lounge. The views are spectacular and constantly changing from calm blue seas to North Sea rollers crashing over the harbour walls. Thankfully the harbour affords protection from any stormy seas. You can sit back and enjoy the display which at times can be magnificent. In the summer it is possible to swim in the harbour but look out for the harbour crabs which can be rather large! The lounge is comfortably furnished with a Chesterfield sofa which can convert to a sofa bed as required. There are a couple of antique reproduction chairs, an antique gate leg table. Because there are windows on all three sides of the lounge, the room is light and bright.
Looking out across the North Sea from its two 17th Century harbours, Portsoy sits pretty on the Moray Firth Coast, its pottery and ceramics noted for their delicate colouring. The port was principally developed for the exporting of Portsoy marble and a healthy trade was done with France (Louis XIV used Portsoy marble in the construction of two of the chimney pieces for the Palace of Versailles).
Every July Portsoy hosts a traditional and lively Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, a showcase of historic wooden fishing and sailing boats. The festival also includes food fayre, traditional music and a half marathon. Portsoy is situated on the National Cycle Route, with excellent rides to the east and west of the village. There are also fine coastal walks to be enjoyed, including to the tiny fishing village of Sandend, a few miles along to the West, with some fine sandy beaches along the way. The region also has some excellent golf courses at Banff and Macduff and no less than 18 castles, from ruins to stately homes, within an hour’s drive of Portsoy! Set overlooking the bay near to the 17th century harbour and village shops. The high proportion of return visitors confirms this park’s popularity.