Stonehaven is personally high on our list of favorite destinations on the Scottish coast. The village is situated in a beautiful bay with a large beach, and the village itself is picturesque. Further along the coast, you’ll also find a stunning castle perched on the cliffs, making it a beautiful and diverse location. Discover in this blog what there is to do in this lively coastal town and why you must visit.
Picturesque Stonehaven
Stonehaven boasts a beautiful picturesque harbor, evident as soon as you arrive. In 2023, the village was even used for a well-known painting competition. The charming, typical Scottish architecture complements the landscape, with the stunning cliffs surrounding the harbor. In the harbor, you’ll find a few pubs and shops, making it a delightful place to wander around.
In the center, you’ll find a large market square with a beautiful old town hall. The square is surrounded by several shops and excellent restaurants. Here you can taste local dishes or even find something more exotic like a curry. On the first Saturday of the month, you’ll find a farmers’ market where you can buy delicious and fresh local produce.
Dunnottar Castle
One of Stonehaven’s well-known attractions is Dunnottar Castle, also known as Stonehaven Castle. The castle dates back to the 16th century and has been an important stronghold for the English monarchy. Perched on the edge of a 50-meter-high cliff, the castle offers stunning views over the North Sea. Entrance to the castle costs £10.50 but is definitely worth the visit. From the village, you can walk through the meadows to the ancient ruins in about half an hour. Along the way you’ll pass the famous Stonehaven War Memorial. It’s a structure of pillars on a hill commemorating all the soldiers who died in the First World War. From the memorial site, you also have a beautiful view towards the castle.
Fowlsheugh RSPB
Furthermore, if you follow the coastline southward, you’ll come to RSPB Fowlsheugh. This beautiful nature reserve consists mainly of high cliffs overlooking the North Sea. The park is an important breeding ground for seabirds, and during the right season, you may even spot puffins here with luck! During the spring and summer months, around 130,000 birds flock to this area, making it ideal for a lovely walk with your dog.
Campsites around Stonehaven
In Stonehaven, you’ll find a lovely campground at the end of the promenade. Personally, we choose to park on the promenade where overnight parking for campers is tolerated. From the promenade, you have a beautiful view over the North Sea and the bay where the small coastal town is situated. There is an indoor swimming pool right next to the parking area where you can enjoy a refreshing shower for a few pounds. If the weather is good, there’s even a large public outdoor pool available!
Our conclusion is that Stonehaven is one of the more charming coastal towns in Scotland and is a great destination to visit with a camper. With the combination of the beautiful harbor and the ancient castle ruins on the cliffs, you can easily spend a few days here without getting bored. If you’d like to gather more inspiration for your camper trip through Scotland, take a look here!