Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dunnottar Castle
(
01569-762173;
www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk
; adult/child £5/2; 9am-6pm Apr-Oct,
10.30am-dusk Nov-Mar)
A pleasant, 15-minute walk along the clifftops south of the har-
bour leads to the spectacular ruins of Dunnottar Castle, spread out across a grassy
promontory rising 50m above the sea. As dramatic a film set as any director could wish
for, it provided the backdrop for Franco Zeffirelli's
Hamlet,
starring Mel Gibson. The ori-
ginal fortress was built in the 9th century; the keep is the most substantial remnant, but the
drawing room (restored in 1926) is more interesting.
CASTLE
Lady Gail 2
(
01569-765064;
www.castlecharter.co.uk
; adult/child £10/5)
The Lady Gail 2 offers
boat trips from the harbour to the nearby sea cliffs of Fowlsheugh nature reserve, which
from May to July are home to around 160,000 nesting seabirds, including kittiwakes,
guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
BOAT
Festivals & Events
The town hosts several special events, including the famous
Fireball Ceremony
(
www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk
)
at Hogmanay (New Years Eve), when people parade
along the High St at midnight swinging blazing fireballs around their heads, and the three-
day
Stonehaven Folk Festival
(
www.stonehavenfolkfestival.co.uk
)
in mid-July.
Sleeping & Eating
o24 Shorehead££
(
01569-767750;
www.twentyfourshorehead.co.uk
; 24 Shorehead; s/d £55/70;
B&B
)
Location makes all the difference, and the location of this former cooperage offering
peaceful and very stylish B&B accommodation can't be beaten - it's the last house at the
end of the road, overlooking the harbour, with lovely sea views. Using the binoculars
provided, you can even spot seals from your bedroom. No credit cards.
Beachgate House££
(
01569-763155;
www.beachgate.co.uk
; Beachgate Lane; s/d £55/70; )
This luxuri-
ous modern bungalow is right on the seafront, just a few paces from the tourist office; two
of its five rooms have sea views, as does the lounge/dining room.
B&B
