On the coast, 15 miles south of Aberdeen is the long-established harbour town of Stonehaven. From its rugged coastline to serene woodlands, Stonehaven is rich in both natural beauty and ancient history. The imposing ruins of the Dunnottar Castle on the craggy cliff edge are one of the first sights to draw your attention as you approach Stonehaven.

The town is situated at the influx of the River Carron into the North Sea and at the head of a crescent-shaped bay, sheltered by hills that rise to the north and south of the town. Stonehaven consists of an Old and New Town. The population of Stonehaven is just over 11,000.

Stonehaven – history and archaeology

The town sits south of the ancient Causey Mounth, a medieval drovers' road that connected the northern coastline to Aberdeen. It was the principal route between Stonehaven and Aberdeen around the 12th Century AD until the mid 20th Century. Archaeological evidence shows that the area had the oldest Pictish fort ever discovered.

Once the most impregnable fortress in Scotland, Dunnottar Castle is perched on 160-foot high cliffs, a site of dramatic events in British history. It has been through turbulent times over the centuries when it was burnt, rebuilt, burnt again, besieged, and graced by saints and queens.

Stonehaven was a fishing port since the Iron Ages due to its natural bay and became a busy fishery predominantly for herring.

The Old Town of Stonehaven is on the south bank of the River Carron. The New Town stands on the north bank of the Carron, on a peninsula formed by the confluence of Rivers Carron and Cowie. The two portions of the town are connected by a bridge. Stonehaven has an oceanic climate.

History

• Apart from being mesmerised by the Dunnottar Castle, you can also visit the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum. This 16th Century stone building is constructed of Old Red Sandstone and has served as a courthouse and prison. Located on the old north quay, it is now a history museum and category A listed building.
• RSPB Fowlsheugh reserve on the south of Stonehaven is constituted of spectacular seaside cliffs, which get inhabited by 130,000 breeding seabirds in the spring and summer. It is also the largest mainland seabird colony on the east coast of Scotland. You can spot guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes. Puffins, fulmars, grey seals, dolphins, and minke whales make an appearance too.
• The Stonehaven War Memorial commemorates lost lives from World War I and II. Built in 1921, the structure resembles a Greek temple ruin, representing the ruined lives of those it commemorates.

• The Olympic-size 50m long swimming pool and lido, clean seawater at 29C, sheltered sun terraces, paddling pool for under 8s, and midnight swims put a different spin on the regular splash in the pool at Stonehaven’s Heated Open Air Pool.
• Dunnottar Woods south of Stonehaven stretches between Carron Water and the Burn of Glaslaw. The trails are peaceful and quiet, and some loop out to Dunnottar Castle.
• The sea safari boat trip takes you safely at speed on the Stonehaven coast for admiring its amazing natural wonders and wildlife. See secret caves and waterfalls you cannot see from land, playful dolphins up close, and puffins diving.
• The Stonehaven Land Train is a quirky way to enjoy the scenery. Funded by The Coastal Communities Fund, it runs at the weekends from the Market Square to the Caravan Park/Open Air Swimming Pool, up to Dunnottar Castle, along the harbour, and back to Market Square. You can get off at any stop.
• As a panoramic coastal town, Stonehaven has some of the most picturesque coastal walks and paths.

• Stonehaven Golf Club overlooks the North Sea hugging the coastline with 5,000 yards of cliff-top tees.
• Paddleboarding is a fun activity to try your hand at in the Stonehaven bay and sea, where the waters are ideal for the activity.
• Stonehaven Leisure Centre& Pool has an 18-station fitness room, a 25metre swimming pool, 3 badminton courts, a games room, 5-a-side football, short tennis, netball, basketball, a skate park, and a kids’ adventure park.
• Kids will love Halymyres Stables opposite Dunnottor Castle, where they can learn to ride well-mannered mounts. You can select from a range of ponies and horses, depending on your skill level, and even go for a ride on the beach.
• Stonehaven Highland Games celebrate the Celtic traditions with traditional sports, games, piping, drumming, and dancing.
• The RW Thomson Annual Memorial Rally honours the inventor of the pneumatic tyre. It sees hundreds of vintage cars and automobiles on display and cruising through the town.
• There are sea angling facilities and a yacht club as well for those who want to spend more time with the sea.

• Stonehaven is synonymous with Hogmanay. Every year at midnight on 31st December, the streets of the town light up with the fireballs ceremony, believed to purify the soul and burn off evil spirits for ringing in the New Year.
• Feein’ Market, with its music, dancing, and entertainment, comes to Stonehaven in the summer. Folk Festival celebrates the history & heritage of the area, and the annual Midsummer Beer Happening is where 140+ beers from the best brewers in the UK, Europe, and the world meet in one place.

While a hop into Aberdeen city gives you a wider selection of shops, Stonehaven has its own independent shops and restaurants. There is an M&Co., a Boots, and Co-opstores in the town among other home goods stores, craft stores, clothes and shoe shops, and a garden centre. The weekly farmer’s market provides all the fresh local produce you need.

• Stonehaven has a wide selection of schools, from nurseries to higher education. Preschoolers are well looked after at the highly regarded Croft Nurseries and the Simpson Playhouse. Local primary schools, including Dunnottar Primary, Arduthie Primary School, and Mill O’ Forest Primary School, have performed well at recent inspections.
• The Mackie Academy, Mearns Academy, and the Ellon Academy are popular secondary schools. The local SEN school, Carronhill School, provides education with additional support for pupils aged between 5 and 18 in an inclusive environment. The Bachlaw Centre accepts referrals for students aged between 8 and 15 who have had difficult learning experiences to foster a positive and happy educational environment, putting children's needs first.
• Aberdeen College and Dundee & Angus College offer higher education, Scottish Higher, and apprenticeship courses for students aged 16 and over. The nearby University of Aberdeen is a favourite, as well as Robert Gordon University.

The Stonehaven Railway Station is on the Dundee-Aberdeen line. The A90 bypasses the town and meets the A92, making it easily accessible by car. The Aberdeen Airport is only 30 minutes away. A reliable bus service runs in the local area, with the scenic seaside route between Aberdeen and Perth on the X7 Coast rider.