Close Attractions

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
End of June. An impressive array of vintage cars, trucks and buses arrive in Stonehaven and you can wander around and reminisce or just admire the vehicles on display.

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

Stonehaven Highland Games
Mid 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 - it's a fun day out and it's free.

Dunnottar Castle
This is probably Stonehaven's best known landmark and is well worth a visit. The castle played a key role in Scottish history with the Crown Jewels being in residence there for a period. It was also famously used in the making of Mel Gibson's ‘Hamlet’. The castle is situated about 2 miles from Stonehaven and is accessible by car or by foot.

Dunnottar Woods
these beautiful woods can be accessed from within the town and provide extensive walks through mature trees and host many local historic points of interest, notably Dunnottar Church, the Shell House, Lady Kennedy’s Bath and Gallow Hill.

Swimming
Stonehaven boasts Scotland’s only outdoor, heated, Olympic sized swimming pool which is open from June until the end of August. This Art Deco pool is a salt water pool which is heated to a rather comfortable 86 degrees. There's also an indoor pool sited in the town’s Leisure Centre

War Memorial
- This lies on the hill above Stonehaven and commemorates those who fell during the two world wars

Golf
At the north end of the town there is an 18 hole golf course, visitors are welcome to have a game on this challenging course.

Museum
At the south end of the town lies the picturesque harbour where you’ll find the Tolbooth Museum, this museum tells the history of Stonehaven and is open from June to October.

Bowling, Tennis & Putting
These can all be found at the sea front and are open throughout the summer season

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