Phone code: 44 (0)1569
The solid and tidy old fishing port of Stonehaven lies 15 miles south of Aberdeen, where the coastal A92 joins the main A90 from Dundee. Nowadays Stonehaven is better known as a seaside resort, attracting a fair few visitors in the summer months.
The town has a rich history with many evidences pointing it to the prehistoric era. Voted in 2010 Scotland's best seaside town.
Local Sights & Activities
Stonehaven's prehistoric heritage is widely justified by the standing stones, bronze age and iron age remains which were found in and around the town. Romans also have left their presence over here with a Roman camp near where the Fetteresso church is standing. Its historic glory is showcased in the ruined fortress of Dunnottar Castle, the splendid sea, its harbours and the local life. All this makes the place a happening and attractive town in North East Scotland.
Stonehaven started off as a settlement existing in the shadow of Dunnottar castle. But the place gained momentum after Rober Barclay of Ury bought the lands of Arduthie. Then the new town of Stonehaven took shape and it developed slowly. Stonehaven attracts many tourist and visitors to come and explore its attractions. The Stonehaven outdoor swimming pool which is an art deco heated salt water pool is open most days and also has occassional midnight swims (Tel: 01569 762134) Also visit the Tollbooth Museum which chronicles the life of Stonehaven's old building. More local information is available on the local Stonehaven community website - http://www.stonehavenguide.net/
Stonehaven is famous for its strange fireball-swinging festival on Old Year's Night, an ancient pagan ritual. Not least of the town's attractions is its wonderful art deco outdoor, heated salt-water swimming pool, one of only two in Scotland (the other is at Gourock). It is kept at a constant 82°F. The pool is only open from the first Saturday in June till the the end of August, 1100-1930 (there's also a midnight swim; ask for details at the TIC).
By the harbour is the Tolbooth Museum, built around 1600, and the town's oldest building. It now houses a seafood restaurant (see below) and local history museum. Jun-Sep Mon and Thu-Sat 1000-1200 and 1400-1700, Wed and Sun 1400-1700. Free.
Another attraction is the town's highly respected folk festival, held over three days in mid-July. Away from the harbour and old town is the market square, where you'll find banks with ATMs and most of the shops. Just off the square is Just Scottish, an excellent arts and crafts shop (open Mon-Sat 1000-1730).
Dunnottar Castle
The main reason for coming to Stonehaven is to visit the impressive and impregnable Dunnottar Castle, two miles south of town just off the A92. Dating from the 12th century, this ancient ruin was a stronghold for the Earls Marischal of Scotland. Standing 160 ft high, with the sea on three sides and a huge drop and 'curtain wall' on the fourth, it is not far short of an island. It is worth devoting considerable time to exploring one of the country's most outstanding castles, which is approached by a steep 400-yd walk from the car park. So dramatic is its setting, that it was used as the backdrop for Zeffirelli's film version of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson. But the fortress has a dramatic and bloody history all of its own. In 1297 William Wallace (another of Mel Gibson's characters, strangely enough) burnt alive an entire English garrison here; later, in 1685, a large group of Covenanters was imprisoned, tortured and then left to rot in the castle dungeons. The castle was reduced to its present state in 1716, during reprisals for the Earl Marischal's Jacobite activities.
Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1400-1700; Nov-Mar Fri-Mon 0930-1600. £3.50, £1 child. The castle can also be reached by a footpath from Stonehaven; contact the tourist office for the relevant leaflet. Tel. 762173.
Nearby Historic Houses & Castles
Urie House
Ruined 1885 baronial mansion in ruinous state that is dangerous internally but can be walked around.
Local Accommodation Options
Eating, Drinking & Going Out...
A couple of recommended places are Heugh Hotel, Westfield Rd, Tel. 01569 762379(prices online here); and Arduthie House, Ann St, Tel. 762381. Also try Woodside of Glasslaw Guesthouse (Reviews: 5/5) or Upper Crawton Bed and Breakfast (also excellent reviews, see hotel website)
The best place to eat in town is the excellent Tolbooth Restaurant, Tel. 62287, upstairs from the museum on the harbour. It's expensive but worth it for the excellent seafood. Open Tue-Sat 1830-2130 (1730-2200 Sat). The restored Carron Tearooms serve traditional high tea Wed-Mon 1330-1600 and boasts a wonderful art deco interior.
Six miles north of town at Netherley, on the B979, is the friendly and welcoming Lairhillock Inn & Restaurant, Tel. 01569-730001, a charming old coaching inn which offers excellent local produce in beautifully rustic surroundings at mid-range prices. Also has rooms at Lairhillock Lodge. A few miles south of Dunnotar Castle is the turn-off to Catterline, where you'll find the wonderfully cosy Creel Inn, renowned for its seafood.
Travel Advice
Stonehaven is on the Aberdeen-Dundee rail line and there are regular trains in either direction. The train station is a 15-min walk from the square. It is also served by buses 101, 107 and 707 from Aberdeen. There are also buses to and from Montrose, passing through the coastal villages described above. It's possible to head straight from Stonehaven to Deeside by taking the A957 (known as 'The Slug') to Crathes.
The Stonehaven Tourist Information Centre is at 66 Allardyce St, the main street past the square, Tel. 01569 762806. Apr, May and Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1400-1700; Jun and Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1400-1800, Sun 1300-1800; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 1000-1900, Sun 1300-1900.