The MP paid a visit to the event on Sunday and met with Chairman Roger Goodyear. New North-east MSP Christian Allard attended on the Saturday, his first visit as an MSP.
Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:
"The organisers deserve our praise for delivering another spectacular Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in this, their twentieth year.
"The weather on Sunday unfortunately wasn’t the best we’ve ever had at the Festival but it didn’t dampen the tremendous atmosphere and there was a real buzz, not only around the event but also the whole town.
“Portsoy can be rightly proud that it has a visitor attraction of national importance which draws visitors from not only the length and breadth of the country but also internationally."
"The weather on Sunday unfortunately wasn’t the best we’ve ever had at the Festival but it didn’t dampen the tremendous atmosphere and there was a real buzz, not only around the event but also the whole town.
“Portsoy can be rightly proud that it has a visitor attraction of national importance which draws visitors from not only the length and breadth of the country but also internationally."