This coastal town in Aberdeenshire is known for its 16th-century Dunnottar Castle, traditional fish and chips, and the birthplace of the deep-fried Mars bar.
Located 15 miles south of Aberdeen, Stonehaven has deep connections to Scotland's past through Dunnottar Castle, where the Scottish Crown Jewels were once hidden from Cromwell's army. You can swim in a 1930s heated seawater pool, watch thousands of puffins nest at Fowlsheugh cliffs, or join the locals during the New Year's Eve fireballs ceremony as they walk down High Street swinging spheres of fire.
Activities Around the Harbor
Walk along the 18th-century stone piers where fishing boats still bring in daily catches. Local instructors teach paddleboarding lessons in the harbor waters. Inside the red sandstone Tolbooth Museum, formerly a courthouse and prison, volunteer guides explain the building's evolution from wine store to jail, with exhibits showing tools and equipment from Stonehaven's fishing past.
Swimming and Beach Activities
The Art Deco outdoor pool from the 1930s contains seawater heated to 29°C (84°F). You can swim in this Olympic-sized pool from late May to early September, including special midnight swimming sessions in summer. A wooden boardwalk runs along the beach from the harbor to the pool area.
Exploring Dunnottar Castle
Walk one mile south from Stonehaven harbor along the coastal path to reach the 14th-century Dunnottar Castle. The 45-minute walk climbs gradually along cliffs rising 160 feet above the North Sea. The castle sits on a rocky headland that played key roles throughout Scottish history, including protecting the Scottish Crown Jewels during the 17th century.
Local Traditions and Events
On Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), locals walk down High Street swinging balls of burning materials in a century-old tradition unique to Stonehaven. Throughout the year, you can watch pipe band performances, attend the Highland Games in July, or join the annual Folk Festival.
Wildlife at Fowlsheugh
From April to July, more than 100,000 seabirds nest at the Fowlsheugh cliffs. Walk the two-mile clifftop trail to spot guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins on the 150-foot cliff faces. Visit early morning for the best chance to see the birds.
Getting to Stonehaven
Trains connect Stonehaven station to Aberdeen (20 minutes), Edinburgh, and Glasgow (2.5 hours). The station is a 15-minute walk from town center. By car, drive 30 minutes south from Aberdeen via the A92, or 2.5 hours from Edinburgh or Glasgow via the A90.
