David Urquhart, chairman of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival and director of Portsoy Community Enterprise (PCE), has announced he will step down from his roles after nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Portsoy community. His tenure will come to an end on 21 June, due to increased commitments within his company, Urquhart Joinery Services.
He will remain in post for this year’s Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which takes place on 13 – 14 June. Mr Urquhart has served as chairman of the festival since 2019, stepping into the role during a challenging period following the death of long-standing chairman, Roger Goodyear. Under David’s leadership, the festival, one of the largest maritime events in Scotland, has continued to grow in scale, reputation and impact, celebrating the north east’s seafaring heritage while delivering significant economic and social benefits to the region.
During his time as chairman, the festival has achieved several notable milestones, including hosting Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne in 2023 and securing the world-famous, Red Arrows for their only Scottish display during their Diamond Anniversary. This was a significant achievement that brought national attention to Portsoy.
Beyond the festival, David served as a trustee of PCE before becoming a director in 2019. In this role, he helped guide the organisation in the management and development of key community assets, including the Salmon Bothy Museum, the Boatshed, the Sail Loft and Portsoy Links Caravan Park. His leadership has supported the preservation of local heritage and ensured these facilities continue to deliver economic and community value.
David Urquhart, chairman of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival said: “The festival has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been both an honour and a privilege to lead the committee for the last seven years. An event of this quality and scale simply would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the committee and volunteers who give up so much of their time to help make it a success, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, and the event over the years.
“My focus at the moment is to deliver another successful festival and we have a packed programme of entertainment across the weekend. Our celebrations will begin with the renowned Stornoway band Peat & Diesel, who will headline our sold-out Big Gig on the Back Green. It is sure to get the weekend off to a great start.
“While this marks the end of an era for me personally, it also signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter for my business as we embark on increased commitments within the commercial sector and expand our scope of works in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke timber products.”
Dr Anne McArthur, board member of PCE, paid tribute to David’s unwavering commitment, she said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank David for his dedication to PCE and the festival. His hands-on support and willingness to give his personal time to community projects has been invaluable. David’s innovation and tireless work ethic have ensured that the festival has not only continued to thrive during challenging times, but that Portsoy’s rich heritage is maintained, and our story continues for generations to come.
“David has always been a constant presence behind the scenes. Working from early morning until late evening, he is easily recognisable in his high-visibility jacket, coordinating and often operating a forklift himself to help set up the infrastructure required for the event. He is always on hand to ensure everything is in place for the smooth running of the festival. His knowledge of the event is exceptional and, if there is ever a problem, David is the person everyone turns to. He can fix almost anything and, if he can’t, he always knows someone who can.
“His passion for both the festival and Portsoy shines through in everything he does, and at the heart of his efforts has been a commitment to ensuring the event supports and includes everyone, from local schools and businesses to community groups and volunteers. David leaves a lasting legacy on Portsoy and the festival, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Lord Lieutenant for Banffshire, Andrew Simpson said: “Congratulations to David Urquhart for his outstanding leadership of the Portsoy Community Enterprise over the last seven years. His vision and hard work ensured that the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival continues to be one of the major annual events not only in historic Banffshire but throughout the North East of Scotland that has created happy memories for tens of thousands of people.
“David provided leadership through a period of many challenges, not least the loss of key individuals and the challenging days of covid. His determination and commitment leave the PCE on a firm footing and very well placed to enable the festival, and other activities, to continue to flourish. Thank you David for all that you have done and for the countless hours you have contributed as a volunteer to our area.”
The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival attracts 13,000 visitors and puts the spotlight on the north east’s maritime culture, sharing stories and songs, craft demonstrations and an insight into what life was like at sea, hundreds of years ago. The event will be officially opened by Murray Campbell OBE MNM on 13 June.
Mr Campbell is seafarers’ chaplain for the Moray Firth Coast and former senior superintendent, Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen. Born into a fishing family, he was invited to join the mission in 1989. For more than 30 years, he served fishing communities across Scotland, including Mallaig, Lochinver, Aberdeen, Scrabster and Fraserburgh, providing welfare, pastoral care, and support to fishermen and their families.
Known for his dedication to coastal communities, Murray worked through both prosperous times and major fishing tragedies, becoming a respected figure throughout Scotland’s fishing industry. His lifetime of service to fishermen, seafarers, and their families saw him awarded an OBE in 2012.
The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was first held in 1993 as an event to celebrate the tercentenary of Portsoy’s old harbour. Since then, it has been firmly anchored in the town’s calendar, taking place annually each summer and attracting thousands of visitors from across the region, and further afield. The festival is set around Portsoy’s 17th Century harbour and is run by Portsoy Community Enterprise which also manages Portsoy Links Caravan Park, The Sail Loft Bunkhouse, The Salmon Bothy and The Boatshed. For more information visit www.stbfportsoy.org or on social media at @STBFPortsoy #ahoyportsoy.
