Discover Portgordon: Coast and History

Portgordon brings together three distinct themes for planning a trip: maritime local history, a woodland path with fairy-tale details, and coastal wildlife watching. If you’re looking for a hotel in Portgordon, you can consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay.

Portgordon’s maritime history

Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon, founded Portgordon in 1797 as his third new village. The town developed into a centre for the boatbuilding industry. The historic stone harbour officially closed in 1947. Gollachy Ice House is a Category B listed building. Its remains are a rare surviving example of pre-industrial coastal fishing in northeast Scotland. The boatbuilding industry and the Ice House offer different perspectives: one concerns Portgordon’s industrial role, the other its older fishing economy.

Port Gordon railway station opened in 1886. Portgordon Village Hall was originally the Presbyterian Union Hall and was built in 1872 as a Presbyterian meeting place in the village. At the time, the nearest church was in Enzie. The station and meeting hall add transport and community life to the harbour and fishing history. The hall was built 75 years after the village was founded.

Woodland path, coast and nature watching

The Portgordon Fairy Walk follows a woodland path with fairy doors, tiny houses and fly agaric mushrooms. The Portgordon Fairy Walks are free to use. The Moray Coastal Trail runs from Portgordon as a coastal path towards Buckpool, the old harbour of Buckie. The paths differ in character: fairy-tale details along the woodland path and a coastal route towards the old harbour.

Places to watch seals include the harbour wall, the cliffs above the beach and the old pier. Portgordon is known for spectacular sunsets; the Northern Lights can also occasionally be seen here. Alongside these specific coastal spots, there are two distinct nature themes: sunsets as a well-known feature of the town and the Northern Lights as an occasional sight.

Community and getting there

The Lampie Hoose Café in Portgordon is run by volunteers. It has 12 seats and serves food and coffee. It therefore combines a specific food and drink offering with voluntary work in the community.

Portgordon Community Garden is accessible to people with different abilities. It was created with the aim of providing food for a community café. Its accessibility and original purpose of supplying food are two distinct aspects that add to the community character of the place.

Portgordon is served by buses from Elgin. As timetables can change, check the current service before travelling. This is especially helpful if you’re planning to travel by bus.

Discover more destinations: Aberlour, Rafford, Hopeman, Drumin, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, Alves, Buckie.

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