Stonehaven is a small port city with great tourist attractions. It is located in Aberdeenshire. There are frequent bus connections from Aberdeen and Dundee, and trains from Edinburgh that lead to this fishing town.
Guided tours and excursions to its castles, museums, distilleries, beaches, outdoor pools, nature reserves, and restaurants, among other places of interest, are also offered. At the Stonehaven Tourist Office, located on Allardice Street, you can get the necessary information to enjoy activities in the city and its surroundings.
Hogmanay Fireballs Ceremony
Stonehaven is famous for its Hogmanay Fireballs Ceremony, held on New Year’s Eve. When the clock bell in the Clock Tower strikes midnight on December 31st, men and women parade down High Street swinging fireballs over their heads. The ancient ritual, associated with purification and fertility, is accompanied by a band of bagpipes and street drummers.
The participants of Hogmanay fireballs light the fire to ward off evil spirits and hope for a prosperous year. During the procession, they stop at the homes of acquaintances to wish good omens. The ceremony is brief and ends with fireworks that light up the entire city. There is no charge to attend the event; those who wish can make a donation to the Stonehaven Fireballs Association to support the tradition.
Castles, Museums, and Whisky
The adventure in Stonehaven begins with a walk from the city center to the harbor, to relax by the beach and appreciate the old fishermen’s houses. Some of these houses now function as restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood. The beach is crowded during the summer.
Next to the harbor, now occupied by small recreational yachts, is the Tolbooth Museum. The building, which preserves Stonehaven’s history, was the former courthouse and town hall jail.
Very close to Stonehaven harbor is Dunnottar Castle, with passages and forests of unique beauty. It can be reached via the coastal route, which also includes a visit to the Fettercairn distillery and offers unbeatable views.
Protected Natural Area
Beyond Dunnottar Castle is the RSPB Fowlsheugh Reserve, famous for its 70-meter-high cliffs. The protected natural area is home to colonies of numerous seabirds, including gulls and puffins.
The Fowlsheugh Reserve is where more than 130,000 birds nest or shelter during summer and winter migrations. The property belongs to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the United Kingdom.
