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Marble Quarry Hole

The Breeks, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, (Banffshire).

Rock shelter, Quarry (disused).

Rock shelter at given coordinates, located in NW cliff-face of a promontory composed of 'Portsoy Marble'. This rock, which is actually serpentinite, has been intermittently quarried a short distance to the SW at [NJ 5856 6635] since the 18th c. for use as a decorative stone.

The shelter is partially lined with colourful green & red algae (coincidently the same colours as the Portsoy Marble), probably resulting from crashing waves above HWL or very high tides.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: The shelter has formed along a mineralised fracture zone in the serpentinite body, the rock itself being produced by the hydrous alteration of ultramafic rocks. Thin layers of soapstone can still be seen lining some of the quarry faces. Although no longer seen in the quarry, remnants of the deep-red jasper veins which cut the serpentinite (& are largely responsible for the rock's appeal) can be seen as cobbles on the beach E of the quarry at [NJ 5859 6634].

"Portsoy marble, which is not marble but rather serpentine found in greenish or reddish hues, is found in a quarry to the west of the town. A major export in the 18th century, Portsoy marble was widely reputed to have been exported to France and used for fireplaces at the Palace of Versailles. In more recent years, Portsoy marble has been used locally to make jewellery, ornaments and keepsakes, which enchant residents and tourists alike." [NESPT]