Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAND DUNES AND SAND TRAPS
Coastal sand dunes extend north from Aberdeen for more than 14 miles, one of the largest areas of dunes in the
UK, and the most untouched by human activity.
Forvie National Nature Reserve
(
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/for-
vie
; admission free; 24hrs)
has wildlife hides and waymarked trails through the dunes to an abandoned medi-
eval village where only the ruins of the church survive. The dunes form an important nesting and feeding area for
birds - don't wander off the trails during the nesting season (April to August).
American tycoon Donald Trump sparked off a major controversy when he opened
Trump International Golf
Links
in 2012, amid a 'protected' area of sand dunes just four miles south of Forvie. In Trump's own words: 'I
have never seen such an unspoiled and dramatic sea side landscape'. However, the development has split the com-
munity between those who welcome the potential economic benefits, and those worried about the environmental
damage.
STONEHAVEN
POP 9600
Originally a small fishing village, Stonehaven has been the county town of Kin-
cardineshire since 1600 and is now a thriving family-friendly seaside resort. There's a
tourist office
(
01569-762806; 66 Allardice St; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 1-5.30pm Sun
Jul & Aug, 10am-1pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Sat Jun & Sep, 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat
Apr, May & Oct)
near Market Sq in the town centre.
Sights & Activities
From the lane beside the tourist office, a boardwalk leads south along the shoreline to the
picturesque cliff-bound
harbour
, where you'll find a couple of appealing pubs and the
town's oldest building, the
Tolbooth
, built about 1600 by the Earl Marischal. It now
houses a small
museum
(admission free; 10am-noon & 2-5pm Mon & Thu-Sat, 2-5pm
Wed & Sun)
and a restaurant.
Open-Air Swimming Pool
(
01569-762134;
www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk
; adult/child £4.90/2.90;
10am-7.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun Jul-mid-Aug, 1-7.30pm Mon-Fri,
10am-6pm Sat & Sun Jun & late Aug)
At the northern end of town is the swimming pool,
an Olympic-size (50m), heated, sea-water pool in art deco style, dating from 1934. The
pool is also open for 'midnight swims' from 10pm to midnight on Wednesday from the
end of June to mid-August.
SWIMMING
