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Kincardineshire
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Explore Kincardineshire for Dunnottar Castle, granite harbours, seabird cliffs, coastal walks and the quiet landscapes of north-east Scotland.

Kincardineshire is the historic coastal and rural county occupying the southern part of modern Aberdeenshire, stretching from the North Sea around Stonehaven and the fishing villages of the Mearns to the wooded foothills of the Grampians. It is a region of strong contrasts: wave-battered cliffs and seabird colonies on the coast, fertile farmland inland, and open upland roads rising towards the Cairn o’ Mount. Although the county is no longer a separate local-government area, its name remains an important part of local identity and is widely used to describe this distinctive corner of north-east Scotland.
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Stonehaven is the principal visitor centre, a harbour town set between rocky headlands and long beaches. Its old streets, working waterfront and seafront promenade provide a useful base for exploring the surrounding coast, while the dramatic ruins of Dunnottar Castle occupy a headland just south of town. Further south, the Mearns has a quieter rhythm, with Laurencekirk, Inverbervie, Johnshaven, Gourdon and Marykirk set among fields, river valleys and small coastal inlets. These communities retain links with farming, fishing, granite construction and local trade rather than functioning simply as attractions for visitors.
The landscape is especially rewarding for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts. The cliffs at Fowlsheugh, near Stonehaven, support one of Scotland’s most important mainland seabird colonies during the breeding season, while the coast around Catterline and Crawton combines sea views with exposed paths and evidence of former fishing communities. Inland, the River North Esk and the hills around Glen Esk and the Cairn o’ Mount offer quieter scenery, with forest tracks, moorland roads and historic estates. Conditions can change quickly on exposed routes, particularly outside summer.
History is visible in layers. Dunnottar’s fortress reflects the strategic importance of the coast and its connection with Scotland’s medieval and early modern monarchy; nearby Raedykes preserves the remains of a Roman marching camp. Stonehaven’s Tolbooth, old harbour and granite buildings recall the county’s maritime and administrative past, while churches, estate policies and Pictish-era place names point to a much older cultural landscape. The region’s food culture is grounded in the produce of north-east Scotland: seafood, shellfish, beef, game, baking and seasonal farm goods. Visitors will find a destination best explored slowly, linking coastal walks and historic sites with villages, viewpoints and country roads.

When is the best time to visit Kincardineshire?

Best: June–August · 18–20°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January760
February850
March950
April1250
May1550
June (best)1860
July (best)2070
August (best)1970
September1760
October1460
November1060
December860

Getting to and around Kincardineshire

How to get there

The main gateway is Stonehaven, served by the north-east railway line between Aberdeen and Dundee, with onward connections to Edinburgh, Glasgow and other Scottish cities. Aberdeen International Airport is outside Kincardineshire, north of the region, and is the nearest practical airport for many international visitors; Dundee Airport, also outside the region, has more limited services. The A90 provides the principal road approach, with Stonehaven and the Mearns reached from the north or south. The smaller inland communities are generally most easily reached by road from Stonehaven, Laurencekirk or nearby Montrose, which lies outside Kincardineshire.

Transportation

Stonehaven has the region’s strongest public-transport connections, while bus services link the town with parts of the Mearns and surrounding communities. Services in rural districts can be infrequent, particularly in the evenings and on Sundays, so check current arrangements before planning a day around public transport. A car is useful for reaching Dunnottar’s wider coastal area, Fowlsheugh, Crawton, Fettercairn, Glen Esk and smaller villages, although some minor roads are narrow and exposed. Walking is rewarding on the coast, but routes near cliffs require care; cycling suits experienced riders prepared for hills and changeable weather.

Best attractions in Kincardineshire

Kincardineshire’s attractions are defined by the meeting of coast, farmland and upland country. The principal historic draw is Dunnottar Castle, whose ruins occupy a dramatic headland south of Stonehaven, but the surrounding town offers more than a convenient access point: its harbour, Tolbooth and seafront create a compact heritage circuit. Coastal visitors can follow paths around Stonehaven, Catterline and Crawton, while Fowlsheugh provides seasonal views of a major seabird colony from the clifftops. Inland, the Mearns offers quieter excursions through agricultural landscapes, estate country and villages such as Fettercairn and Laurencekirk. Country walks extend towards Glen Esk and the Cairn o’ Mount, where open hills and river valleys replace the exposed coast. Smaller museums, historic churches, granite buildings, old harbours and rural viewpoints add texture between major stops. The appeal lies less in a dense concentration of formal attractions than in linking historic sites, wildlife, walking and village life across a varied but manageable corner of north-east Scotland.

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Best landmarks in Kincardineshire

Dunnottar Castle is Kincardineshire’s defining landmark, a fortified medieval and early modern complex set on a precipitous headland above the North Sea. Its position, ruins and association with the Honours of Scotland give it both visual and national historical importance. Stonehaven’s Tolbooth, a seventeenth-century building beside the harbour, is another prominent reminder of the town’s former role in local administration and justice. The town’s granite streets, harbour walls and seafront form a coherent historic landscape rather than a single monument. At Raedykes, earthworks mark a Roman marching camp and provide a less theatrical but important link with imperial military campaigns in Scotland. Along the coast, the cliffs of Fowlsheugh and the headlands near Catterline and Crawton are natural landmarks shaped by geology, weather and seabird life. Inland, the Cairn o’ Mount is a longstanding route and landscape marker between the Mearns and the Grampian interior, while village churches, bridges and estate landscapes provide quieter expressions of the county’s agricultural history.

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Best restaurants in Kincardineshire

Dining in Kincardineshire reflects both the North Sea and the productive farmland of the Mearns. Stonehaven is the most varied centre, with cafés, restaurants, bakeries and fish-and-chip shops around the harbour and town centre, while smaller coastal communities offer a more limited but locally focused choice. Look for seafood and shellfish, north-east beef, game when in season, locally grown vegetables, farmhouse baking and traditional soups. Cullen skink belongs to the wider north-east Scottish tradition rather than solely to Kincardineshire, but smoked fish and other regional produce are commonly encountered. Rural inns and village cafés provide useful stops when touring inland, although opening patterns can be seasonal. Farmers’ markets, farm shops and independent food producers are good places to find preserves, cakes, bread, whisky-related products and other goods from Aberdeenshire. Restaurant reservations are sensible for popular evenings and for smaller establishments, particularly outside Stonehaven.

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Best bars in Kincardineshire

Kincardineshire’s evening life is concentrated in Stonehaven and is generally based on traditional pubs, hotel bars, cafés, restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large nightclub scene. The harbour and town centre are the most convenient areas for an evening meal followed by drinks, with local pubs providing a sociable setting for residents and visitors. In the Mearns, nightlife is quieter and more dispersed, centred on village pubs, community events and dining rather than dedicated late-night venues. Some establishments showcase Scottish beers, gin or whisky, but drinking is not necessary to experience the region’s evening culture. Summer brings longer daylight for coastal walks before dinner, while winter evenings tend to be early and subdued. Check current arrangements locally, as rural venues may have limited hours and entertainment can vary by season.

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Best nightclubs in Kincardineshire

Kincardineshire’s evening life is concentrated in Stonehaven and is generally based on traditional pubs, hotel bars, cafés, restaurants and occasional live music rather than a large nightclub scene. The harbour and town centre are the most convenient areas for an evening meal followed by drinks, with local pubs providing a sociable setting for residents and visitors. In the Mearns, nightlife is quieter and more dispersed, centred on village pubs, community events and dining rather than dedicated late-night venues. Some establishments showcase Scottish beers, gin or whisky, but drinking is not necessary to experience the region’s evening culture. Summer brings longer daylight for coastal walks before dinner, while winter evenings tend to be early and subdued. Check current arrangements locally, as rural venues may have limited hours and entertainment can vary by season.

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Best shops in Kincardineshire

Shopping in Kincardineshire is local and practical, with Stonehaven offering the broadest range of independent shops, galleries, food outlets, books, clothing and everyday services. Its town centre and harbour area are useful for assembling a picnic or finding regional food products, while smaller Mearns communities have village shops, craft outlets and occasional local stalls rather than extensive retail districts. Farm shops and producers are the best sources for preserves, baking, seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat and other north-east Scottish provisions. Galleries and craft businesses may feature ceramics, textiles, artwork, jewellery and photography inspired by the coast and countryside. Visitors should not expect a large luxury-shopping scene, but the region is well suited to buying edible souvenirs and locally made gifts. For a broader high-street or shopping-centre selection, Aberdeen, Dundee and Montrose lie outside Kincardineshire and should be treated as separate excursions or transport gateways.

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Kincardineshire essentials

Currency and Payment
Kincardineshire uses the pound sterling, with the currency code GBP, as part of the United Kingdom. Contactless and ordinary card payments are widely accepted in Stonehaven and other established visitor businesses, but smaller rural shops, honesty stalls and occasional cafés may have limited facilities or minimum card spending. Carrying some cash is sensible when travelling through villages and the countryside. Scottish banknotes are valid throughout the UK, although visitors may find that some businesses outside Scotland are less familiar with particular designs.
Safety
Kincardineshire is generally a straightforward region for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate in busy areas, car parks and accommodation. The coast demands particular care: cliffs can be unstable, paths may be muddy, and wind, spray and poor visibility can make exposed sections hazardous. Keep well back from edges at Dunnottar, Fowlsheugh and other headlands, and observe reserve or land-manager guidance. Rural roads may be narrow, while winter weather can affect upland routes over the Cairn o’ Mount. Check forecasts and daylight before longer walks.
Emergency Situations
In an emergency anywhere in Kincardineshire, dial 999 or 112 for police, fire and ambulance services. Ask for the coastguard if an incident occurs on or near the sea, and provide a precise location, grid reference or what3words address where possible. Mountain rescue may be requested through the emergency services for serious incidents in upland areas. Mobile coverage can be inconsistent on remote roads and glens, so download maps, tell someone your route and avoid relying solely on a phone signal.
Do's and Don'ts
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code by leaving gates as found, keeping dogs under control near livestock and taking litter home. Stay on designated or clearly established paths where conservation guidance requests it, particularly around seabird cliffs. Do not climb barriers or enter unsafe ruins at Dunnottar or other historic sites. In villages and harbours, respect working areas and private property rather than treating every waterfront as a public attraction. Tipping is discretionary in Scotland but appreciated for good service, while modest, practical clothing is suitable for most churches, museums and local businesses.
Local Tips
Stonehaven works well as a first base because it combines rail access, food, harbour scenery and proximity to the southern coast. Give the Mearns its own day if possible: Laurencekirk, Inverbervie, Johnshaven, Gourdon and Fettercairn each offer a different perspective on the region’s farming and maritime character. For wildlife, visit coastal reserves in the appropriate season and bring binoculars rather than approaching nesting birds. Inland roads are often scenic but slow, so allow more time than map distances suggest.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHullo[huh-loh]
GoodbyeCheerio[cheer-ee-oh]
YesAye[eye]
NoNaw[naw]
Please/You’re welcomePlease[pleez]
Thank youCheers[cheerz]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[saw-ree]
How are you?How's it gaun?[how's it gawn]
Fine. And you?Aye, fine. An yersel?[eye, fine. an yer-sel]
Do you speak English?Dae ye spik English?[day ye speak English]
I don't understandAh dinnae understand[ah din-ee un-der-stand]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseAh'd like tae see the menu, please[ah'd like tay see the men-yoo, pleez]
I don't eat meatAh dinnae eat meat[ah din-ee eet meet]
Cheers!Cheers![cheerz]
I would like to pay, pleaseAh'd like tae pay, please[ah'd like tay pay, pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Gae awa![gay uh-wah]
Call the Police!Phone the polis![fone the poh-lis]
Call a doctor!Phone a doctor![fone a dok-tor]
I'm lostAh'm lost[ah'm lost]
I'm illAh'm unwell[ah'm un-well]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ah'd like tae buy...[ah'd like tay buy...]
I'm just lookingAh'm just lookin'[ah'm just look-in]
How much is it?Whit’s the price?[whit’s the price]
That's too expensiveThat's ower dear[that's ower deer]
Can you lower the price?Can ye lower the price?[can ye lower the price]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Whit time is it?[whit time is it]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[it's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[half past ten]
MorningMornin'[mor-nin]
AfternoonAfternoon[af-ter-noon]
EveningE'enin'[ee-nin]
YesterdayYestreen[yes-treen]
TodayTday[t'day]
TomorrowMorrow[mor-row]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Whaur's a/the...?[whur's a/the]
What's the address?Whit’s the address?[whit’s the ad-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ye show me (on the map)?[can ye show me (on the map)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[when's the next (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (ta ...)[a ti-ket (ta ...)]

History of Kincardineshire

Prehistoric settlement and Pictish legacy

Kincardineshire’s fertile coastal plain, river valleys and upland routes attracted settlement long before written records. The area formed part of the broader Pictish world of north-east Scotland, whose influence survives in place names, church sites and carved-stone traditions across the region. Early Christian foundations and later medieval parishes often developed around older settlement patterns. Although many prehistoric remains are modest earthworks or fragmentary finds rather than monumental ruins, they reveal a landscape used for farming, burial, ritual and movement between the coast and the hills.

Roman campaigns and Raedykes

The Roman military presence in north-east Scotland is particularly associated with the campaigns of the late first century AD. Near Stonehaven, the remains at Raedykes represent a Roman marching camp positioned close to routes leading north towards the River Dee and the interior. The camp was temporary rather than a permanent town, reflecting the mobile nature of Roman campaigning. Its earthworks are a reminder that Kincardineshire occupied a strategic corridor between the eastern seaboard and the mountain passes of the Grampians.

Medieval power and the rise of Dunnottar

Dunnottar’s sea-girt headland became one of the region’s great strategic strongholds during the medieval period. Its cliffs offered natural defence and commanded coastal approaches, while the fortress developed through successive phases of religious, aristocratic and royal use. Stonehaven and the surrounding parish communities grew within a wider network of estates, churches and burghs linking the coast with inland agriculture. The county’s position between Angus and the lands around Aberdeen gave it enduring importance in the politics and communications of eastern Scotland.

The Covenanters and the Honours of Scotland

Dunnottar Castle is closely associated with the political and religious conflicts of seventeenth-century Scotland. During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, were held at the castle to protect them from Oliver Cromwell’s forces. After the garrison surrendered in 1652, the Honours were concealed and escaped destruction. Dunnottar was also used to imprison Covenanters in harsh conditions. These events helped give the ruins their continuing place in Scotland’s national historical memory.

Agriculture, fishing and coastal trade

From the eighteenth century onwards, Kincardineshire’s economy combined improved agriculture with fishing, coastal trade and small-scale manufacturing. Estate improvement reshaped fields, roads, plantations and farm buildings, while harbours at Stonehaven, Johnshaven, Gourdon and Inverbervie supported local fishing and the movement of goods. Villages developed around these activities, and the Mearns became known for productive farmland as well as access to the sea. Granite, quarried and worked widely in north-east Scotland, also influenced local buildings, walls, bridges and harbour structures.

Railways and modern regional change

The arrival and expansion of railways in the nineteenth century connected Stonehaven and the Mearns more closely with Aberdeen, Dundee and the wider Scottish network. Stations supported agricultural commerce, fishing communities and commuting, while roads later became increasingly important for rural travel. The decline of some local industries and fishing activity changed the county’s economy during the twentieth century, but farming, food production, tourism and conservation remain significant. Today Kincardineshire is administered within Aberdeenshire, while its historic county identity continues in local names, institutions and community life.

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Evendo is your comprehensive, free travel guide to Kincardineshire, UK. Plan and book your entire trip with ease, from attractions to hotels and experiences.

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Welcome to Kincardineshire, a hidden gem in the United Kingdom, brimming with stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Evendo is your ultimate travel companion, designed to help you make the most of your trip to this beautiful region. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, our app has got you covered.

Discover the iconic Dunnottar Castle, perched majestically on a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Stroll through the charming streets of Stonehaven and enjoy fresh seafood at The Tolbooth Restaurant. Don't miss the chance to explore the picturesque village of Auchenblae and its scenic walking trails.

With Evendo, you get detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in Kincardineshire. Each location comes with rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy to plan and organize your trip. Our app also allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the hassle of multiple searches and bookings.

Experience the local vibe with curated tips that let you explore Kincardineshire like a native. Use the 'Near me' feature to find attractions, dining spots, and activities around you, no matter where you are in the region. And the best part? Evendo is 100% free to use, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

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