Traditional Portsoy Boat Festival gets Peaky Blinders makeover to celebrate filming of final season

A Scottish harbour used as a backdrop for television series Peaky Blinders is to be transformed back into its small screen glory for fans of the show.

The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival is set to return to Portsoy in Aberdeenshire after a three-year absence with special attractions including custom vessels and cars used in the dramatic finale of the BBC hit.

Stars including Cillian Murphy, who plays main character Tommy Shelby, and Finn Cole, who portrays his cousin, Michael Gray, spent five days filming in the town last year when it took a starring role as the French island of Miquelon in North America, during the 1930s.

Nick Goding, producer of the show’s sixth series, said: “The Peaky Blinders team was so grateful to Scotland, and in particular Portsoy, for embracing our shoot at such a difficult and threatening time.

Festival chairman David Urquhart said there was 'a real buzz' about the festival. — Festival chairman David Urquhart said there was ‘a real buzz’ about the festival.

“We were made to feel so welcome in the towns and surrounding areas and we are delighted they have secured the vehicles that were used in the staging of the series elements that Portsoy offered.”

“We’re thrilled to hear that Portsoy is able to hold the boat festival once again and wish everyone involved the best of luck in opening the town to visitors from all over the world.”

Two of the original classic 1938 Renault Primaquatre cars will be on display in the exact position they featured during the explosive finale of the sixth series when Gray met his fate.

Traditional fishing boats including the Comet, used in series six, will drop anchor for the two-day event on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, while visitors will also be able to wander around filming locations at warehouses, hotels and the local police station where Tommy masterminded the Shelby empire.

It is the first time the festival has been held since 2019 amid the Covid pandemic.

Festival committee chairman David Urquhart said: “The final series of Peaky Blinders attracted an audience of over seven million and for Portsoy to have an association with a production of that magnitude, it really is something for our community to be proud of.

“People will be able to see the car and boats that Shelby and his associates travelled in and visit the places where memorable final scenes were shot, whilst soaking up the unique atmosphere and entertainment we have at the festival.”

He added: “There is a real buzz around this year’s event, the whole community has really missed it over the last few years and the support we have received has been phenomenal.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy live musical entertainment form local artists, food from renowned local producers and a market selling handmade crafts.