A History of Portsoy

Portsoy is a popular tourist destination on the north east coast of Scotland, offering incredible coastline views and amazing ice cream. As many are likely to flock there this summer, we thought we would look at the town’s history.

Portsoy Harbour, 2020

Portsoy was erected as a Burgh of Barony in 1550. Burghs of barony were established by land owning proprietors in their role as tenant-in-chief, by permission of the Crown. In this case, the town was erected by Sir Walter Ogilvie of Boyne and the royal charter came from Mary Queen of Scots.

The town was erected without any form of constitutional governance to speak of, which meant it was run entirely by the feudal superior. The feudal superior was given authority to administer justice and to hold barony courts that dealt with crime and matters of good neighbourhood. As you may expect, the individuals who most enjoyed the burgh privileges at this time were the wealthy burgesses and freemen (mostly merchants and craftsmen). 

[In contrast, other burghs of barony could be run as ‘free and independent’ burghs, which were largely independent of the superior with magistrates usually elected by the feuars or burgesses in the town; or ‘standard’ burghs, where their governance was usually influenced directly by the superior, such as them appointing the town’s magistrates. Royal Burghs compared to Burghs of Barony: Banff received its charter directly from the Crown in 1372, making it a royal burgh. Macduff’s charter of erection however, was granted by the Crown to the Earl Fife in 1783 (meaning it was not granted directly to the burgh), making it a burgh of barony.]

From 1883, inhabitants of these types of burghs could form a police burgh instead, to be governed by elected commissioners. Thus, by 1889, Portsoy had become a police burgh under the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act 1862.

Portsoy Standing Order 1889

Portsoy Police Commissioners Election 1897

Burgh administration was now carried out by police commissioners, who were responsible for the cleansing, lighting, policing and public health of the burgh. The records we hold related to Portsoy begin in this period and cover the town’s history through to 1975

The police commissioners were replaced by Portsoy Town Council in January 1901.

Portsoy Town Council 1901

The Town Council minutes provide great detail about life in Portsoy from 1901-1975 (when the Town Council was abolished, to be incorporated into the Grampian Regional Council and Banff and Buchan District Council. This later became Aberdeenshire Council in 1996). The earlier minutes do not include an index, but reading through the different topics discussed by the Town Council can be fascinating. Have you ever heard of the 'Heather Day Collection' before?

We think this was related to the St Andrews Society, who fundraised abroad for Scottish War Charities and 'Home' hospitals during and after WW1. 

Another interesting entry we stumbled upon - swan related! We're pretty sure we would resent two strange swans if they appeared on our patch too.

Portsoy Harbour:

Portsoy used to be better known for its fishing industry, rather than as a tourist destination. The first iteration of Portsoy Harbour was built around the same time as the royal charter was given in 1550. In 1692 it was replaced with another harbour by Sir Patrick Ogilvie, the 8^th Laird of Boyne. This harbour was built entirely of stone, most of which is still present today.

The records of Portsoy Harbour Company 1882-1965 are included in our collections.

Portsoy Harbour was run privately until its administration was transferred to the Town Council by Parliamentary Act in 1932. It seemed to take a number of years for jurisdiction to transfer fully.

Portsoy Harbour Order (Town Council Minutes 1932)

Portsoy Harbour Company Report (transfer to Town Council 1932)

Just on the outskirts of Portsoy, taking the coastal path west, you can reach the old saltwater swimming pool, constructed in 1936. The pool is now out of use but the view is still impressive and worth a visit.

Kimberley Smith, Archivist