Ultimate Guide to Portsoy, Scotland: Location, Distance and Getting There

Portsoy is a small harbour town in Aberdeenshire, on Scotland’s Moray Firth coast. It lies about 50 miles northwest of Aberdeen and 65 miles east of Inverness. If you’ve never heard of it before finding this page, you’re not alone.

Many readers ask where is portsoy before booking anything. Additionally, it is a genuinely under-the-radar corner of the northeast coast. That is why so many people want to know its location before they book.

Here’s the full picture.

However, where is portsoy, and which county is it in?

It also covers how far it is from common starting points and how to get here.

Is Portsoy in Aberdeenshire?

Yes. Portsoy has been part of the Aberdeenshire council area since 1975. Before that, it was historically in the county of Banffshire, which is why you’ll still see the town referred to by both names in older records and some maps. Its post town is officially Banff, and its postcode falls under the AB45 district — all Aberdeenshire, despite the Banffshire history still showing up here and there.

How Far Is Portsoy From Major Scottish Cities?

From	Distance	Driving Time
Aberdeen	~50–53 miles	~1 hour 15–30 minutes
Inverness	~65 miles	~1 hour 30–45 minutes
Edinburgh	~160 miles	~3 hours 15 minutes
Keith (nearest train station)	~16 miles	~22 minutes

How to Get to Portsoy

By car. The most straightforward option, and the one most visitors use — the drive from Aberdeen takes you along the A96 and coastal roads, with Banff and Cullen both just a few minutes further along.

By train. There’s no railway station in Portsoy itself. The nearest is Keith, on the Aberdeen–Inverness line, about 16 miles away. From Keith, a taxi or the local bus covers the final stretch into Portsoy.

By bus. Regional bus services connect Portsoy to Keith and the wider Moray and Aberdeenshire network, though journey times are longer than driving.

By air. Aberdeen International Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly the same distance as Aberdeen city centre, making it the easiest starting point if you’re flying in.

What’s Nearby, Once You’re Here

Portsoy sits within easy reach of several other northeast coast towns worth knowing about before you plan your stay — Cullen and Banff are both a short drive away. If you’re deciding between bases, our Portsoy vs Cullen comparison breaks down which suits your trip better.

Now You Know Where We Are

Once the map makes sense, the next question is usually where to stay. Check availability and book direct with us here — no need to route your booking through a third party once you’ve made the trip this far to find us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Portsoy located? Portsoy is a small town on the Moray Firth coast in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, roughly 50 miles northwest of Aberdeen and 65 miles east of Inverness.

Is Portsoy in Aberdeenshire or Banffshire? Portsoy has been administratively part of Aberdeenshire since 1975. It was historically in Banffshire before that boundary change, which is why both names still appear in older references.

How far is Portsoy from Aberdeen? Portsoy is approximately 50 to 53 miles from Aberdeen, a drive of around 1 hour 15 to 30 minutes depending on route and traffic.

How do I get to Portsoy without a car? The nearest train station is Keith, about 16 miles away on the Aberdeen–Inverness line, with a connecting taxi or local bus service covering the final stretch into Portsoy.