Portgordon brings together a whimsical woodland path, a coastal trail and tangible evidence of the village’s history. Your visit can take different directions: small details along the Fairy Walk, viewpoints for seal watching, or buildings that tell the story of the village’s development.

Woodland path, coastal trail and coastal views

The Portgordon Fairy Walk follows a woodland path lined with fairy doors, tiny houses and fly agaric mushrooms. The Portgordon Fairy Walks are free to enjoy.

From Portgordon, the Moray Coastal Trail continues as a coastal path towards Buckpool, the old harbour of Buckie. The trails therefore differ in their setting and direction: a woodland path with small details on one hand, and a coastal route towards Buckpool on the other.

Viewpoints for watching seals include the harbour wall, the cliffs above the beach and the old pier. Portgordon is also known for spectacular sunsets; on occasion, the northern lights can be seen too. The coastal viewpoints draw attention to seals, while sunsets and the occasional northern lights draw the eye to the sky. The area’s natural attractions therefore include both places to watch the water and sights in the sky.

Maritime and village history

Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon, founded Portgordon in 1797 as his third new village. Its maritime history also has several facets: Portgordon developed into a centre for the boatbuilding industry, while 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 north-east Scotland. The Ice House represents the coastal fishing industry; the Village Hall was a Presbyterian meeting place.

Portgordon Village Hall was originally the Presbyterian Union Hall. It was built in 1872 as a Presbyterian meeting place in the village, when the nearest church was in Enzie. Port Gordon railway station opened in 1886.

Portgordon was founded in 1797. The Village Hall was established in 1872 as a Presbyterian meeting place, when the nearest church was in Enzie; Port Gordon railway station opened in 1886, and the historic stone harbour officially closed in 1947.

Café, garden and getting there

Lampie Hoose Café is volunteer-run, has 12 seats, and serves food and coffee. It offers a cosy setting for a break.

Portgordon Community Garden is accessible to people with different abilities. It was created with the aim of providing food for a community café.

Portgordon is served by buses from Elgin. As timetables may change, check the latest times before travelling.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Findhorn, Portknockie, Lossiemouth, Dandalieth, Dufftown, Buckie, Glenlivet, Knock

Back to the main travel overview: Moray.