Purchase secures historic harbour building for future and seeks new operator
The North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) has acquired the Port House Café, an established business located overlooking Portsoy’s historic Old Harbour. The purchase aims to safeguard the building for the future and provides an opportunity for a new tenant to continue the café’s existing success.
The NESPT purchased the Port House Café using funds bequeathed to the Trust through the legacy of the late Tom Burnett-Stuart, whose long association with Portsoy and passion for its heritage continues to impact the town. This acquisition aligns with the NESPT’s broader commitment to preserving Portsoy’s historic harbour buildings, ensuring they remain in active use and support the local economy.
Situated beside the Old Harbour, the Port House Café is a popular business with both local residents and the many visitors who come to Portsoy and the surrounding coast. The NESPT will now seek a new operator to take on the café, as the current owners move on, offering someone the opportunity to run their own business from one of the town’s most picturesque and prominent locations.
Paul Higson, Project Director at the NESPT, said: “Portsoy’s historic buildings are an incredibly important part of the character of the town, but their future depends on them continuing to have a purpose and being part of everyday life.”
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Mr Higson added: “Purchasing the Port House Café gives the NESPT an opportunity not only to safeguard another building in this important historic area, but also to retain a business at the harbour which contributes to the local economy and is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.”
He further commented: “Tom Burnett-Stuart cared deeply about Portsoy and its heritage, and we are very grateful that his legacy is enabling us to invest in the town in this way. We hope this purchase will have a lasting impact, protecting the building while creating an exciting opportunity for someone to take the café forward. We would love to hear from people who have the enthusiasm and ideas to build on what is already an established café and write its next chapter.”
Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact Paul Higson directly at info@nespt.org.
