General > Things To Do

Things To Do

There are woodlands on Stonehaven’s doorstep, with extensive walks through mature trees and many local historic points of interest to be seen, notably Dunnottar Church, the Shell House, Lady Kennedy’s Bath and Gallow Hill.

Fishing is available to visitors for brown trout on the local River.

Local Events

The ‘Fireball Ceremony’ is probably the most famous local event. It takes place on  Dec 31st. It is believed to date back to pagan times. Fireballs made from wire and cloth, are attached to ropes and swung by locals  in order to chase out the devil and ward off evil spirits that might blight the well being of the town. A sight to be seen!

R.W. Thomson Vintage Car Rally – normally held on 3rd Sunday in June.  An impressive array of vintage cars, trucks and buses arrive in Stonehaven Market Square where you can wander around and reminisce or just admire the vehicles on display.

International Folk Festival – every July. The town is buzzing with the sound of singers and bands. Concert are both impromptu and organised. A great time to be in the town.

Stonehaven Highland Games – usually 2nd or 3rd week in  July. See Caber Tossing, Tug-o-war, Highland Dancing and Pipe Bands. A very popular annual event.

Harbour Hi-Jinks happens in August with raft racing, competitions and local stalls.

The Feein’ Market is held on the first Saturday in June, local people dress up in olden day costume and businesses and charities have stalls where they sell food and nick naks etc, there's music and children’s entertainment all in all it's a fun day out and it's free.

Golf

St Andrews home of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (approx 60miles south), with it’s four courses  is a must for all golfers.

Carnoustie Golf Course hosted the 'Open'  in 1999 and 2007 and is highly rated with a tough finish (approx 40 miles south)

Monifieth in Angus is a good test for serious golfers (approx 45 miles south )

Balgownie (Royal Aberdeen Golf Club) is highly rated with good opening and finishing holes on the seaside links in Aberdeen.

Letham Grange by Arbroath has a good blend of treeland, parkland and open fairways (approx 40 miles south) 

Fishing

Fishing is available to visitors for brown trout on the local River. Permits can be arranged by the hotel staff.

Deep sea fishing trips can also be arranged on request.

Aberdeen & North

Aberdeen, the Granite city, lies 15 miles north of Stonehaven.  It is Scotland's 3rd largest city and  is the  Oil Capital of Europe.  For visitors there is the Maritime Museum, His Majesty’s Theatre, Art Gallery and Duthie Park with its famous Winter Gardens. Aberdeen University is 500 years old and Kings College and Marischal College are worth a visit.

Aberdeen has an extensive and bustling harbour and a ferry from here will take you further north to Orkney and Shetland.

Aberdeen is the Gateway to Royal Deeside  and beautiful valley of the River Dee.

Royal Deeside's attractions include Balmoral Castle (parts open to  public in summer)  Crathes Castle and it’s wonderful gardens.

Along Royal Deeside lies The Victorian Trail taking in Invercauld Bridge, Crathie church and Fasque House.

Also visit Braemar - famous for it’s Highland games and Highland Heritage Centre.

Ballatar approx 50 miles inland from Stonehaven in an old spa town and where Queen Victoria had her railway station and good starting point for theWhisky Trail

 Further north lies Elgin an elegant town with a ruined medieval cathedral.

Approximately 100miles north of Stonehaven is Inverness - ‘The Capital of the Highlands’ From here it is a short drive to the world famous Loch Ness which is home to the Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness is the largest body of freshwater in Scotland and it is deeper than the North sea.

See Also - Castle Trails,  Whisky Trails