Life in Stonehaven: Everything you need to know

Lying on Aberdeenshire's coastline and named one of the 'five most beautiful towns in Scotland', there's no doubt Stonehaven is a fantastic place to call home.

Location

Stonehaven sits 15 miles south of Aberdeen and is surrounded by the rolling countryside as well as charming, Instagrammable villages to explore.

It is well connected to both Dundee and Aberdeen, with regular trains going to both cities each day, dropping you off in the Aberdeen City Centre within only 16 minutes and Dundee City Centre within under an hour.

If you're driving, Aberdeen is a short 25 minute car journey away and Dundee can be reached within 70 minutes.

History

The town dates as far back as the 16th century, starting off as a quaint fishing village before expanding inland to cope with the growing population. 

At one time 15 million fish were caught per annum with around 1280 fishermen employed, becoming the area's primary industry. However, due to overfishing and the waters being declared unsafe after WWII, local fishing declined rapidly. 

Now tourism is one of the primary industries in Stonehaven, with many historic attractions bringing in crowds of tourists each year such as the Stonehaven War Memorial and the famous Dunnottar Castle.

Notable attractions

The 'Auld Toon' has something for everyone: an interesting history to sink your teeth into; a long beach to walk along and rock pools to explore; a recently extended outdoor swimming pool to tire out the kids and lots of charming cafes and restaurants to dine in.

Located on the coast, there's no surprise there's an abundance of fish shops on offer. The awarding winning 'The Bay' fish and chip shop is a must-go-to and we insist you visit the 'Carron' fish and chip shop for their famous deep-fried Mars bars. 

If you live for Hogmanay, we suspect you will love how Stonehaven celebrates. The Fireball Ceremony is the town's unique way to welcome in the new year, as locals take to the street at midnight swirling flaming balls of fire around their heads. Bizarre? Perhaps, but the atmosphere is immense.

And the festivals don't stop there - Stonehaven holds a Highland Games every year as well as the Stonehaven Folk Festival, Classic Car Rally, two harbour festivals each summer, a monthly farmers' market and many others.

Schools

Stonehaven has both primary and secondary schools, perfect for those looking for their forever home.

There are three primary schools:

• Arduthie Primary School - centrally located, this school serves a large portion of the north and east of Stonehaven as well as the surrounding countryside.
• Dunnottar Primary School - this school was found in 1889 and is linked to the parish Church and Dunnottar Castle. Sitting on the edge of the Old Town, it serves this area and the majority of the surrounding countryside.
• Mill O'Forest Primary School - located in the newer part of Stonehaven and covers both the south and parts of the north.

There is one secondary:

• Mackie Academy - Mackie covers a wide area of Southern Aberdeenshire stretching as far as Johnshaven to the south, Netherley to the north and Glenbervie to the west.

Carronhill School is also located within the town and provides education for both primary and secondary school aged children with additional support needs.

Properties

There's a wide range of homes on offer to suit each individual taste: grand stone houses with mature gardens, charming cottages by the harbour, newly built family homes and apartments in the heart of the town centre.

Here are five of our favourite currently on the market, each varying in price to suit everyone from first-time buyers to growing families.

1 Cannon Court - Offers over £129,000

First-time buyers should turn their attention to this self-contained flat, located only a stone's throw away from the harbour. 

Freshly painted throughout, this is a great opportunity to buy a two-bedroom flat in immaculate condition.

Click here to view more photos and the full details.

3 Cooperage Court - Offers over £199,000

If you're after a property with a view, this three-bedroom home's outlook is pretty hard to beat.

Whether you're looking to relocate to a home by the beach or looking to invest in a holiday home, this property has great potential.

Click here to view more photos and the full property details.

4 Bernham Avenue - Offers over £279,000

Beautifully presented throughout, it was extremely difficult picking our three favourite photos!

This four-bedroom detached house was been beautifully maintained and modernised by the current owners, and is deceptively spacious providing an ideal purchase for families.

Click here to view more photos and the full details.

11 Carron Den Road - Offers over £470,000

Completed only three years ago, this four-bedroom detached house is truly something special.

As well as a modern, high quality interior, this luxury property boasts uninterrupted countryside views to the rear.

Click here to view more photos and the full details.

Lyleston, 44 Robert Street - Offers over £850,000

A rare find on today's market, 'Lyleston' is a detached five bedroom house with large self contained apartment which commands an enviable position within the town.

The property dates back to 1896 and is filled with stunning period features including high ceilings, panelled doors, deep skirtings and ornate decorative cornicing. 

Click here to view more photos and the full details.

Want to see more properties in Stonehaven?

Click here to view our full range of properties for sale and to let