Stonehaven for Cottage Holidays

Stonehaven

The town of Stonehaven lies on the coast about 13 miles south of Aberdeen.  It has a long stretch of beach with a wooden walkway that's as popular with locals out for an afternoon stroll as with visitors. The new heated outdoor swimming pool (with midnight swims and barbecues during the summer) is built close to the beach.  There's also an amusement park, a small caravan site and some tennis courts.  Stonehaven beach wouldn't feature high on a list of Grampian's best beaches, and as a visitor, I would give it a miss and head for the harbour, where most of the tourists congregate for a drink at one of the pubs on the quayside.  The old harbour is much more attractive and interesting.  We enjoyed a drink at one of the tables outside the local hostelry whilst watching the small yacht club boats skimming to and fro in the distance.

The town itself is a mixture of old and new, with most of the old fishermen's cottages in the harbour area.  Some of the buildings like the Town House date back to the 18th Century.  The 16th Century Museum, where episcopal clergy were once imprisoned,   houses local artifacts and is a good place to obtain some historical knowledge about the town.

It's worth taking a walk around the town - there are a couple of interesting churches and converted fishermens's cottages.  A panoramic view can be obtained from the war memorial on the hill.  The Carron Restaurant on Cameron Street is recommended for afternoon tea, just for its style.  It's a renovated Art Deco building with great attention to detail both inside and out.  It looks as if it should be incredibly expensive but isn't in the least.  Your will be served your china pots of tea; Breakfast, Earl Grey or Lady Grey by young, polite waiters and waitresses in uniform. A welcome touch of grace to Stonehaven.

Stonehaven is well known for its 'Ancient Fireball Ceremony' at midnight on Hogmanay. About 60 fireballs are swung in a march through the town and flung into the sea at the harbour. No one quite knows the origins of this festival but it has been performed every year since anyone can remember and was recorded by fishermen back in the 19th Century. 

Two miles south of Stonehaven are the atmospheric ruins of Dunnotar Castle which is perched on a high cliff with steep drops all around.  An entry fee is payable to look around the ruins (£3.50 for adults in 2001). Nearby, Dunnotar Wood with its bronze age burial mound is a pleasant place for a walk or picnic. There is wheelchair access to the picnic tables near Glasslaw Bridge, plus parking spaces reserved for the disabled.

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Click here for a list of Scottish self-catering holiday cottages and apartments

Self-catering holidays in Royal Deeside,  Scotland

Visit Stonehaven for a day out from Stranduff Lodge Croft which is situated near to Kincardine O’Neil in Aberdeenshire. Accommodating up to 8 people in 4 bedrooms, this stone-built cottage is ideal for discovering some of the best of Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire. Discover Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s very own holiday home on days out along with excellent walks and stunning countryside whilst on an Aberdeenshire holiday.

Click on the photo to read more information about a holiday in this country cottage in Royal Deeside.

Self-catering log cabin holidays in Dinnet, Royal Deeside,  Scotland

Choose to stay in a wooden holiday lodge at Royal Deeside Woodland Lodges and you can enjoy a day trip out to Stonehaven during your stay. Having use of or hiring a car is essential when exploring this area of Scotland. These lovely comfy holiday lodges are situated close to the rustic village of Dinnet which is around an hour’s drive from Stonehaven.

For those looking to explore Royal Deeside, these good quality wooden lodges could be perfect. Situated next to a nature reserve in the heart of Royal Deeside, visit Balmoral Castle and discover picturesque villages and outstanding countryside in this corner of Aberdeenshire.

On days out you can discover Aberdeenshire’s Castle Country following the Castle Trail or for those who enjoy a ‘wee dram’, the Whisky Trail beckons whereas for those who just adore the great outdoors, the naturally beautiful scenery of the Cairngorms National Park is to be found all around.

After all that exploring, return to your good quality comfortable holiday lodge at Royal Deeside Woodland Lodges and enjoy the benefit of home comforts in your home from home.