30 Cool Things To Do Near Stonehaven Aberdeenshire
Stonehaven and surrounding areas in Aberdeenshire are must-see parts of Scotland.
Not only is it perched in a perfect location but it is also surrounded by the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Stonehaven is one of the many stunning villages located in Aberdeenshire.
The area is filled with magnificent castles including Castle Fraser, Drum Castle, Crathes Castle and Craigievar Castle. Also, historical castle ruins including Dunnottar Castle.
As well as graceful waterfalls and rich reservoirs including Crawton Waterfall, Dess Waterfall and Tillyfourie Quarry.
The north eastern part of Scotland is the perfect backdrop for a weekend road trip. There is plenty of natural attractions to keep you busy.
This article outlines some suggestions to make an excellent scenic drive.
What is Stonehaven Known For?
Stonehaven is a gorgeous harbour town located south of Aberdeen. The small town has been around for centuries, and it used to be famous for the fishing industry.
Interestingly, Stonehaven’s Haven Fish Bar is rumoured to be the origin of the deep-fried mars bar.
Nowadays, Stonehaven is well known for the famous Hogmanay Fireball Ceremony. Also, Stonehaven is famous for its Olympic size outdoor swimming pool, which is heated and filled with seawater.
Stonehaven Weather
The average temperature for Stonehaven in the summer months is 17 degrees Celsius. Sometimes there is a heatwave and the temperature can reach the twenties.
Stonehaven is near the coast so there is a high chance that it will be quite windy. However, the more inland you go it will get calmer.
In winter, temperatures can drop to an average low of 2 degrees Celsius. Sometimes, temperatures can drop to minus degrees Celsius with snow and ice.
As Stonehaven is in the north east of Scotland it is very common to experience four seasons in a day.
Stonehaven Accommodation: Dalriada Lodges Garron, Dunnottar Woods House, The Boathouse and Stoney Hideaway
Crawton Waterfall & Nature Reserve (RSPB Fowlsheugh), Stonehaven
Location: RSPB Scotland Fowlsheugh
Crawton Waterfall is one of the most isolated and picturesque waterfalls in Aberdeenshire. The nature reserve is home to hundreds of seabirds.
It is best to visit the site after a period of heavy rainfall as the water will plummet over the cliff edge making the waterfall even more dramatic.
Crawton is a small hamlet which was once a fishing community. Now, it has several spectacular homes that are perched on the cliff top.
There are a few car parking spaces close to the site with only a five-minute walk to view the magnificent waterfall.
Also, you can walk a 1.4-kilometre loop trail around the cliff tops. The trail offers scenic views and is good for all walking skill levels.
This is an amazing chance to get good photos from the cliff edge.
Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven
Location: Dunnottar Castle Car Park
Dunnottar Castle is a castle ruin which is vividly breath taking. The fortress is perched on a clifftop facing towards the North Sea.
Also, it holds many rich secrets of Scotland’s interesting history. Most interestingly, many notable people have been here including William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and King Charles II.
There is a car park dedicated to the castle ruin. Also, you can also walk along the cliffs from Stonehaven.
Near the car park is a van that sells nice snacks and drinks. Dunnottar Castle is one of the most dramatic castle ruins on the east coast of Scotland.
Walking along the path on the cliffs demonstrates the magnificent fields that are hugging the cliff tops. Below you can view the sandy shores and rocky beaches.
Buying a ticket allows you to access castle grounds and gives you access to a guide. There is so much to see!
Therefore, you can definitely spend a couple of hours here.
Stonehaven Harbour, Old Pier
Location: Stonehaven Harbour
Stonehaven Harbour is quite charming on a beautiful day. You can relax, enjoy a walk around the harbour or watch the fishing boats go by.
Also, there are plenty of boardwalks to guide you around the harbour. In addition, you can walk to Dunnottar Castle from here.
The harbour area has a small car park that will fill up quite quickly. Alternatively, you can park near the open-air swimming pool and take a short walk to the harbour.
Also, there are some cute cafes or fish and chip shops where you can try a deep-fried mar bar.
Moreover, there are a few hotels, a small sandy beach, public toilets and plenty of benches for you to sit at and enjoy the views!
Speciality Shops in Stonehaven
Stonehaven is home to a lot of unique speciality shops. First on the list is E. Giulianotti which delivers the best homemade ice cream which is made on the premises, also, there are vegan options available.
Next, is ‘A Wee Bawbee’, which is a gift shop where you can find an odd souvenir or gift for yourself. Finally, pop into ‘My Beautiful Caravan’ which is a wee quirky boutique where you can find trendy trinkets for your family and friends.
Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool
Location: The Links
Stonehaven Open Air Pool is a unique, outdoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool. As you can imagine it gets quite cold in Scotland, so the pool is open from early May until late September!
The long swimming pool is filled with clean, heated seawater and is surrounded by sheltered sun terraces. Also, there is a paddling pool for under eights and a café that serves delicious hot food.
It’s cool when hot, and fun when it’s not! Tickets are available as a one-hour pre-bookable session.
Crathes Castle
Location: Crathes Castle Car Parking
Crathes Castle an idyllic castle set in the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire. The castle was built in the 16th century and has a complex labyrinth of turrets, towers, oak panels and outstanding medieval painted ceilings.
The castle is currently looked after by the National Trust for Scotland. Tickets are available to view inside the castle.
However, you can enjoy the garden and trails for free, with a small car parking fee. Also, you can wander through the unique historic walled garden, where some plants are over 300 years old.
The gardeners do a magnificent job at maintaining the garden. Moreover, the grounds are filled with a unique range of wildlife including roe deer, red squirrels, woodpeckers, buzzards and herons.
The Burnett family lived in the castle for over 300 years. Interestingly the castle was given to the family by Robert the Bruce.
Look out for the Horn of Leys, which was given to the family by Robert the Bruce. Also, Go Ape is situated in the forest of the grounds!
Drum Castle, Castle & Estate
Location: Drum Castle Car Park
Drum Castle was a gift from Robert the Bruce to the Irvine family in the 14th century. Also, it is one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses with a huge Jacobite history.
During Victorian times, the great hall was converted to a library and contains over 4, 000 books.
You can admire Drums Castle’s beautiful chapel which was built in the 16th century. Furthermore, you can admire the Garden of Historic Roses.
The garden is divided into four parts and demonstrates how roses have been cultivated from the 17th to the 20th century.
Also, the old oak forests surround the castle, where you can spot red kites, roe deer, red squirrels, and badgers. The castle and grounds are currently managed by the National Trust for Scotland.
Tickets and tours are available. Also, you can view the gardens and forest with a small car parking fee to pay.
Dess Waterfall, Aboyne
Starting Point: Kincardine O’Neil
The alluring waterfall is a 4.8-mile circular walk from a small village called Kincardine O’Neil. Although it is small, it is impressive for its size.
To get there, park in the car park across from the Old Smiddy. Next, turn off the road at Deeside Way where you will walk through some farmland followed by woodland.
Overall, the walk takes three hours at a steady pace.
Craigievar Castle
Location: Craigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle is tucked away on the picturesque hillside, where the pink towers display elegance and beauty. Additionally, the castle’s fairy-tale structure was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle!
The castle was built in the 16th century and is one of the best preserved and most appreciated castles in Scotland.
Until the 1960’s the Craigievar was a comfortable family home. Therefore, the interiors have a quirky blend of rare antiques within ancient walls.
When we arrived it was so peaceful, there was no one around, so we had the whole castle and gardens to ourselves. The castle is managed by National Trust Scotland.
From April to September there are guided tours of the inside of the castle. Inside there are steep spiral staircases that lead to the upper floors.
This is a must-visit castle for the next time you are in Aberdeenshire.
Tillyfourie Quarry, Inverurie
Location: Pitfichie Forest Car Park
Tillyfourie Quarry is an easy one to miss. To get there you must follow signs for Whitehill Stone Circle which is just outside Tillyfourie.
I found inspiration for this stop from a TikTok video, the water in the video looked bright green!
The water is amazing to look at. And surprisingly it is okay to swim in the water.
The path to the quarry is a bit of a trek. There is a map to guide you once you get to the car park.
Moreover, while you are walking to the waterhole you can spot old disused steelworks and portacabins.
The place is getting more and more popular on a summer’s day as it is the perfect place to relax. It is a bustling hub for sunbathers, swimmers, cliff jumpers and people hanging out.
If you decide to make a stop here, please respect this natural environment and clean up after yourself.
More recently this rare beauty spot has been left with rubbish. So, respect the environment and local people and take your rubbish with you.
Castle Fraser, Garden and Estate, Inverurie
Location: Castle Fraser Car Parking
Castle Fraser is a 15th century castle, and it is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland. The castle is also managed by National Trust Scotland where you can buy a ticket to explore eccentric traits in the castle.
The features include trapdoors, secret staircases, and spy holes. Also, you can climb to the top of the round castle and admire the excellent views of the grounds, courtyard, and gardens below.
There are magnificent view offer a view of the peaks of Bennachie in the distance. The conventional gardens include specimen trees, herbaceous borders and organically grown fruit and vegetables.
Also, you can follow the trails in the grounds that allow you to explore the area. The castle was home to the Fraser Family for more than 400 years.
The castle is filled with momentous objects including portraits, ornaments and mementos all revealing a tiny part of the eccentric history.
The staff and tour guides are very friendly and offer interesting facts about the castle in the guided tours. So, it is worth paying a visit to this impressive build.
Other Stops and castles to add to your itinerary that represent the diverse and interesting history of the clans who lived in Scotland long ago.
Corse Castle, Aboyne
Location: Corse Castle
Corse Castle is a castle ruin which was used from the 16th century. However, now it is a scheduled ancient monument.
It was owned by the Forbes family. The castle became derelict in the 20th century when the Forbes family moved to a new house.
Midmar Castle, Inverurie
Location: Midmar Castle
Midmar Castle was originally built in 1411 and massively extended in the 16th century. The walled garden was built in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Interestingly the granite masons who built the castle were also responsible for building other castles nearby including Crathes, Fraser, Drum and Craigievar.
Kildrummy Castle, Alford
Location: Kildrummy Castle
Kildrummy Castle is an impressive castle ruin which was built in the 13th century. You can book tickets on the website to discover the curtain wall which held four round towers, a large hall and a chapel.
It is important to add this site to your bucket list to view the perfectly situated castle and peaceful countryside.
The grounds are currently managed by Historic Environment Scotland and were previously owned by the Earls of Mar.
In addition, you can discover the history behind the development of the twin-towered gatehouse including the legacy of Edward I and his builders.
Final Note
Unexpectedly, there were so much interesting things to do in and around Stonehaven. You can stretch your adventure and explore the historical city of Aberdeen.
I highly recommend unwinding and taking yourself for a scenic drive through this beautiful area, there are many nice Munros and hills near Aberdeen. I loved exploring the castles in the area.
Also, I loved wandering along paths which lead to waterfalls and relaxing at an abandoned quarry. Some other great tourist routes around Aberdeenshire include the North East 250 and the Deeside Tourist Route.