A range of historic, listed buildings in Portsoy are to be conserved and revitalised by the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT).
The buildings, located on Portsoy’s historic Old Harbour, belonged to local businessman Tom Burnett-Stuart, who sadly passed away in January 2020. In a remarkable act of generosity and care for the people of Portsoy, Tom left the buildings to the NESPT in his will, securing their long term future.
Following public consultation, proposals have been developed to bring the unused buildings back into productive use.
It is hoped that the Marble Warehouse (Corf House) and the Marble Workshop can be redeveloped as a Creative Hub providing artist studios and craft workshops for rent.
The Creative Hub will support the regeneration of Portsoy by improving the heritage environment and the local economy through the redevelopment of the two historic buildings and their conversion into much needed facilities for artists and people working within the creative industries.
Visitors and the local community will be able to watch the artists at work (where appropriate), take part in arts and crafts workshops and purchase arts and crafts created by the artists in the various studio spaces. There will be space for a wide range of different forms of art and community-based activities such as school engagement, incubator space, small parties, adult education, and fun arts-based workshops.
The NESPT has purchased the Port House Café in the Old Harbour area. The purchase was made possible using funds left to the Trust through the legacy of the late Tom Burnett-Stuart, whose long association with Portsoy and passion for its heritage continues to make an impact on the town.
The purchase forms part of the NESPT’s wider commitment to protecting Portsoy’s historic harbour buildings while ensuring they remain in active use, supporting local businesses, employment and the economy.
The NESPT will seek a new operator to take on the café.
