Set in the sheltered shores of a sweeping bay of the North Sea and protected on the landward side by encompassing heights Stonehaven, the former county town and capital of Kincardineshire, has long been recognised as one of Scotland’s foremost seaside holiday resorts and has many amenities, recreational facilities, attractions and green spaces.

With facilities like the famous Heated Open Air Swimming Pool, the Indoor Pool, Gym and Halls, Tennis and Recreation grounds, Lawn Bowl, Indoor Bowls, Stonehaven Golf Course, Indoor Play areas, The Harbour with Boat Tours, Paddle Boarding and Sauna and of course the ever popular Stonehaven Land Train.

The Land Train ferries tourists from the town up and down to Dunnottar Castle and the War Memorial, giving spectacular views of the town and coast. The town itself has a vast array of local shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels; still a very popular destination for tourists and holiday makers from around the world.

Stonehaven Caravan site is as popular with motor homes as it is with caravans now, at capacity most of the year. The beach front and walkway from Cowie stretches all the way along the bay to the Harbour allowing visitors to experience the spectacular views we enjoy through-out the year.

The Old Town lies on the south bank of the river Carron, adjacent to the harbour within the parish of Dunnottar. The New Town lies between the Carron and the Cowie rivers, in the parish of Fetteresso. The street layout was designed according to the plan of Robert Barclay of Ury, with many of the street names named after members of his family. In the centre of the New Town is the Market Square which is now a busy car park, but was once open and tree lined, where weekly markets were held in the shadow of the market buildings and tower (with town clock) which were built in 1827.

Our community has grown substantially over the past 10-15 years with a population of around 16k inhabitants and we are lucky in that we still have many open green spaces, parks and recreation areas around the town. Forest Drive Park is one such green space, servicing the upper west side of town with a space vital for local groups and the community to enjoy at their leisure.

Stonehaven Town Centre Map

Open Green Spaces and Future Parks

Over the past 20 years there has been a shift in how local councils manage parks and green spaces, understandable with diminishing budgets and higher operational costs. The future for such spaces lie with local communities who are being encouraged to work with other groups, organisations and other key stakeholders to secure a sustainable future.

Finding new ways of funding, new ways to maintain and maximise the community health benefits of our open green spaces is key to their survival.

Wild and Well is a national initiative promoting a groundbreaking new model for well being based around the principles – Move, Eat, Connect and Explore. Wild & Well is designed to empower and inspire people to consider their well being in a new way. They have initiated projects all over the UK and work with several of the larger Councils to explore new ways to invest in and provide vital mental and physical health benefits from our local parks.

Parks and open green spaces can support 5 steps to mental well being as recommended by the NHS.

• Connect with other people.
• Be physically active.
• Learn new skills.
• Give to others.
• Pay attention to the present moment.

They can be used to create nature-based activities to improve health and wellbeing, including:

• play groups in parks, school sporting events
• park runs and field sports
• training courses, such as land management and learning nature-based skills
• volunteering with the friends of groups
• walking for well being and mindfulness
  

Everyone deserves to have access to open green space, within a 10 minute walk of their home.

All children have the right to play. Access to play should be as wide reaching and inclusive as possible, ensuring that children, young people and families have local easy access to play areas where they can feel safe and comfortable to use them.

Play parks and open green spaces should bring together local communities, children and young people of all ages and abilities, creating a greater sense of place and cohesion.