Film Time @ the Bothy

There is to be a new venture Upstairs at the Bothy this winter.  In collaboration with NEAT FLICKS four films are to be shown between now and Christmas.  The first film will be English Vinglish, a comedy drama in cinema from November 2012.  It is hoped also to show Whiskey Galore, Wreck-It Ralph for youngsters and Muppet Christmas Carol.

Volunteers Day Oot

The Bothy Volunteers had a Day Oot.  They travelled on the Scout Bus to Elgin Museum, the Ice House @ Spey Bay and Fochabers Museum.  Each museum had its own ethos and was enjoyed by the group.  At the end of the day the group visited the Land Girls Memorial at Clochan.  A great day was had by all.

Len and Moya putting the world to rights at the Ice House.

Alison and Brian about to enjoy a sandwich at the cafe in Spey Bay.

The group at the cafe in Spey Bay.

The Ice House @ Spey Bay.

Looking up country towards the railway bridge at Spey Bay.

The estuary of the River Spey.

The beach at Spey Bay.

Arriving at the Land Girl Memorial.

The Land Girl Memorial at Clochan.

The group at the Land Girl Memorial.

A happy group ready for supper at the Cullen Bay Hotel.

Summer time at the Bothy

Take a stroll down memory lane with our Seafield Street Exhibition "Butcher, Baker and Candlestick Maker' Upstairs at the Bothy.  Do remember buying your first set of earrings from Leys the Jeweller, or a bathing suit from Robertson's? Come re-live the magic of Portsoy's bustling street with photos old and new capturing how the street has evolved over the years. This exhibition will remain up until the end of August and we would like to invite people to contribute any photos stories, memories that you may have. Just pop in during the normal Museum opening hours.

Family History

Drop-In Sessions at the SALMON BOTHY throughout the summer
2013 Dates:
Wednesdays 
24th July
7th and 21st August 
4th and 18th Sept
Sundays
14th and 28th July 
11th and 25th Aug 
8th and 22nd Sept

Folk at the Salmon Bothy

Friday July 19th
Folk at the Salmon Bothy 
3rd Friday Club Night ~ Open Mic
Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy - Portsoy
Doors Open 7pm ~ £3

Saturday July 20thFrom the USA - The Hot Seats
5 piece Red Hot Old Time/Bluegrass Band ~ "Full of virtuosity and reverent irreverence, they are a sight to behold.” - Relix Magazine
Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy
Doors Open 7pm ~ £10 (£8 conc)

Friday Aug 16thFolk at the Salmon Bothy
3rd Friday Club Night ~ Open Mic
Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy
Doors Open 7pm ~ £3

Saturday Aug 31stAlan Reid and Rob Van Sante ~
Ex-Battlefield Band mates on road.
Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy
Doors Open 7pm ~ £10 (£8 conc)

Friday Sept 20thFolk at the Salmon Bothy ~
3rd Friday Club Night ~ Open Mic
Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy
Doors Open 7pm ~ £3

Go to Folk Club Website>>

 

Information about Shops and Services on Seafield Street Portsoy WANTED!

The Salmon Bothy is organising an exhibition of the Shops and Services on Portsoy's Seafield St. The exhibition will feature mainly visual content - such as photographs, written information, adverts, newspaper articles and reminiscences.

We would like to hear from anyone who has information they can to contribute. This can be posted on Facebook Salmon Bothy or Portsoy Past and Present, or emailed to Leanne Watt on leanne@salmonbothy.org.uk, or we can arrange a meeting at the Salmon Bothy or somewhere convenient.

A shared spreadsheet has been created on google documents that anyone can access and add to by clicking the following link. The spreadsheet shows present day shops, and the idea is to populate it with information of the shops going back through the years.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiSygIl9zB9vdHdyQkFBaFZpd2F2UmNsNmxlTWJJYWc&usp=sharing

The Exhibition will be on over the summer break ‘Upstairs at the Bothy.’

The Grand Re-opening of the Salmon Bothy Museum!

Wow what a fantastic weekend!  A grand re-opening of our museum brought people from far and wide to see our new revamped ice chambers with new artifacts, information and photographs on display.  Fishing is the theme that runs throughout, the salmon fishing that took place from this very building and the herring fishing that was once a thriving industry here in Portsoy and later many fishing lassies travelled from here following the herring for their livelihood.

We were honoured to have Mr David Gordon of the popular local publication the Knock News to come and cut the ribbon.   We were then treated to freshly baked pancakes and jam upstairs by Liz Ashworth and Letty's Preserves.  There was more for people to see upstairs at the Bothy with an exhibition of work by the users groups.

Fantastic examples of workmanship is on display from Photography to Knitting to Boat building and painting as well as projects by the Family History group, Portsoy Past and Present and the local Soy Arts and Theatre.

 This week we kicked off with the Bothy Knitters in full swing offering a taster session to the public.  Anyone with an interest in knitting was invited to come along and join in. Liz Ashworth returned to do a fantastic Cullen Skink Lunch for us which unbelievably was made with a coconut based alternative to cows milk and it was delicious! She also had toasted pulsetta rolls courtesy of Ross' the Bakery who are now doing a new gluten  free range.  See two happy customers below.

Today we had Portsoy Primary School children having a taste of boat building and rope making with PORT http://www.salmonbothy.org.uk/port.html.   Thursday morning will see the photographers come together for some tuition from Amy Davenport.  Friday we will have Family Historians for a session on research sources and family trees with Genealogist Alison Smith followed by Art and Calligraphy with resident art teacher Jack Elliot.  If you would like to come along to any of these groups take a look at www.salmonbothy.org.uk/whatson.html or contact us at contact@salmonbothy.org.uk

Archives on your Doorstep

On Friday 15th March the Bothy will host an exhibition of unique historic records normally held by Aberdeenshire Archives.  A variety of material relating to Portsoy and Fordyce will be on display, with professional archivists on hand to answer questions and offer specialist advice.  Access to these records usually requires a visit to the public search rooms in Old Aberdeen, so this is an unmissable opportunity for anyone interested in local history to discover more about the rich heritage of the area.

Between 11am and 3pm visitors to the Salmon Bothy will have the chance to study a selection of archival material, much of it originating from the 19^th century.  The range of records will include valuation rolls, which constitute a valuable source of information for investigating the history of homes and other properties, while electoral rolls and admission registers for local schools are guaranteed to arouse the interest of family historians.

Spring-time Speakers starts this weekend

Sunday's at 2.30pm - £3 entry Upstairs at the Salmon Bothy.

 

10th March - Pete Danks - Portsoy: A Community of Boatbuilders

The traditional art of Boatbuilding has undergone a revival in Portsoy. Pete will talk of the many interesting projects that are ongoing, offering people in and around Portsoy, of varying ages and experiences, the chance to learn a whole set of new skills…

17th March - Prof Ian Russell - 'The Sailing of the Boaties at Boddam: Community, Craft and Cultural Tradition'

Boaties' are a model-making skill unique to the North-East that dates back at least 150 years. They are based on the traditional Scottish herring lugger known as the 'fifie' and sail without rudder, motor, or remote control, depending on the skill of the maker/owner to trim the boat and set the sails appropriately. They are made in various sizes from 1ft 6ins to 4ft, but boats as large as 6ft have been made in the past. The centre for hand manufacture is Peterhead district, and, every summer in Boddam at the Den Dam, boaties are sailed competitively in various classes. Some of the boaties taking part go back many years, their hulls having been re-painted and re-fitted many times.

In this illustrated talk I plan to outline the history of this remarkable tradition, its role in the community, and how it has been documented and revitalised.

24th March - Lorna Summers - Salmon Fishing Comes to Portsoy Lorna completed an MLitt in Ethnology and Folklore studying Salmon Fishing, last Summer.  She undertook extensive research consulting with former salmon fishers to obtain an accurate picture of the industry on a local level through the ages. Lorna  has never been better placed to give us an insight into into Salmon Fishing and how it came to be such a thriving industry in Portsoy.