Stonehaven

StonehavenHarbour0-2.18700597187493456.95054333326617Contacts Harbour Master 01569 762741 or mob 07741050210 VHF #11 (Not always manned) This is an excellent and popular stopping off point for coastal cruisers being about six hours north of Arbroath and six hours south of Peterhead. Shelter here is good except in strong Easterly and North Easterly winds when the harbour entrance becomes all but impassable. There has been a harbour here for centuries but it was destroyed in the early 17th Century, rebuilt in later in that century, destroyed again by winter storms and rebuilt in the 19th century to accommodate the herring fleet. It is now mainly a recreational harbour with a small inshore fishing and potting fleet. The outer harbour has depths of about three meters whilst the middle harbour and inner harbour both dry out. The inner harbour is normally full of local boats in the summer and in conditions which preclude lying alongside in the outer harbour visiting boats will have to raft against local yachts. In adverse weather conditions there is a barrier which can be hoisted into place across the inner harbour entrance for added protection. The buildings abutting the harbour on the West side are mainly hotels with bars and restaurants and during the weekends in the summer it is a popular "day out" becoming quite busy, but quietly so, as the visitors are mainly families and the older generations who are quite content to wander around and admire the sights (you will find that your boat will attract envious examinations!). There is a very active sailing club with its own Club house (large pink four story building) used mainly for showering and changing on race days. Their main focus is on dinghy sailing and the club house is only accessed during race days; they don't have a social membership which uses it as a regular watering hole. At the weekend and on Wednesday evenings Stonehaven Bay is full of racing dinghies and you would be wise to give them a wide berth!! Dylan Winters has a video of Stonehaven in his Keep Turning Left Series. Stonehaven starts at minute 13.30 AC 0210 Newburgh to Montrose AC 1438-4 Harbours on the East Coast of Scotland C23 Fife Ness to the Moray Firth (includes Harbour Plan for Stonehaven) SC5617 3 Gourdon to StonehavenHarbour speed limit 3kts. Flashing green light on inner harbour wall pierhead indicates that inner harbour barrier is in place Rocks extending eastwards from inner harbour wall pierhead to Downie Point. There are also rocks extend outwards for 2 to 3 cables from all the cliffs in the vicinity. Appproach in on-shore winds is hazardous and the outer harbour is untenable in such conditions. HW is HW Dover + 0235 or HW Aberdeen +0010 MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.5m MLWS 0.6mFrom both the North and the South Stonehaven is difficult to identify.... .... as you pass numerous bays and headlands before you see the town which is always "around the next headland." There are no off shore hazards as you approach from the North and you can stay quite close in shore (2 to 3 cables) but be aware that there are several coves (one actually called "Cove") which can lead you think you are almost there until you consult the chart and realise that you would need to be doing double your boat speed for that to be the case! Once you have cleared Garron Point it's still not that easy because Downie Point is viewed against Bowdun Head which is in turn masked by the coast behind that, so that the next headland which stands out is, in fact, Crawton Ness – miles down the coast. You just have to keep going and it eventually becomes obvious but in reduced visibility you would be wise to put regular fixes on the chart. Coming up from the South you will not see Stonehaven until you have passed Downie point; you just have to look round the corner of every headland you pass, once you get close, until it suddenly appears. There is a sector light on the outer pierhead which is very useful at night but you need to wait quite a while until you enter the white sector before turning in towards the harbour. Do not be tempted to turn in too early from the South; you need to be able to see the Yacht Club's dinghy park at the root of the inner harbour wall to be sure of clearing the rocks which litter the South side of the bay outside the harbour right in to the entrance to the middle harbour. The fishing fleet tends to land its catch in the outer harbour and moor there overnight.... .... unless the wind goes onshore when they retreat to the inner harbour; this means that although there may be vacant berths alongside the walls in the inner harbour and outer harbour when you arrive they may "belong" to a fishing boat. In settled conditions you will always find a berth alongside the inside of the East Wall. If the forecast is for NE winds you will have to talk to the HM about a berth in the Inner Harbour which will mean rafting against another boat, and drying out. If this becomes necessary be aware that in onshore winds, although you are sheltered from the sea, you are still affected by the wind which swirls about this harbour; you will need a full set of warps, breasts, springs and shore lines and will also need to attend the boat as it settles to monitor the difference in draft to the rafted boat. There was talk of turning the Inner Harbour into a Marina but it required too much work being done on existing walls making it far too expensive; so that will not happen. The harbour dues for 2022 are £21.60 per night. The Harbour master will issue you with a key to the showers and toilets situated alongside his office. Although these are in a portacabin they are clean, heated and well maintained. Water can be obtained in containers from a tap inside a concrete box on the pier opposite the Rescue Institution; it's a good idea to ask the HM to point this out to you when you book in as its camouflaging concrete can confuse. The only electricity hook up is in a box at the root of the inner harbour wall where it abuts the shore line. You need a normal 13amp plug and plenty of cable to access this. Petrol, diesel and Calor gas can be obtained from the garage on the West side of the town. If you need Camping Gaz you might be lucky to find that McDougal and Masson (01569 763806) have one in stock but give them a ring first because they are a long slog away on the West side of town and only carry one 907 which they replenish when it is sold. Behind the harbour the shops are mainly small cafes and sweet shops; the town centre can be reached by the "boardwalk" starting from behind the HM's office and runs round the top of the beach and across the burn (Carron Water). This walk extends to the North side of town as far as the swimming pool (an award winning outside, heated pool) and the camp/caravan site. If you cut west off this path before the next burn (Cowie Water) you can access the large Co-Op supermarket, which is well stocked. There is a small Co-Op shop in the town centre but is only any good for basic items having a limited choice of branded items. The butcher is good but doesn't sell the cheaper cuts of meat You don't have to go far to find good food and drink as there are several good places on the harbour. In the town there are the usual fast food outlets and fish and chip shops. Eat out Restaurants & Places to Eat in Stonehaven Tripadvisor The heated swimming pool is worth a visit, even in the rain! It being Scotland there is, of course, a golf club and bowling club (Indoor as well as outdoor). There is an annual harbour Festival held midsummer which you may be lucky enough to encounter (but this year's was cancelled due to the appalling weather). Dunnotter Castle is an important historic site and, if you are into historic buildings, it is one not to be missed. There is a museum on the harbour housing all the usual local historical nick-nacks (old fishing and farming implements and photographs). Entrance is free. 0StonehavenVisichart of approach to Stonehaven from the East1. Stonehaven Harbour looking NNEEntrance to the Middle harbourMiddle Harbour from Northern CornerLead in Lights for Middle harbourSouth harbour wall protecting the inner harbourRocks to the ESE of the Middle harbour port pierheadMiddle Harbour from SE CornerEntrance to the Middle harbour at sunsetViewing lead in lights through the middle harbour entrance (2)Viewing lead in lights through the middle harbour entranceStonehaven sailing Club compound in the SWStonehavenSea and Shorewww.seaandshoredundee.co.uk/ When living a lifestyle on the sea, you need the support of a dedicated marine specialist who can provide all aspects of marine supplies. You also need friendly, expert advice to help you choose the right equipment for your range.We are North East Scotland's leading marine and industrial supplier stocking Mariner engines, Yanmar engines as well as the repair of engines, boats, trailers and sails. We carry a full range of chandlery, paints, sailing, clothing and equipment and we offer a complete rigging and splicing service with guaranteed quality and competitive pricing.Our own fully equipped workshop and our professional mechanics and engineers can repair and service all makes of outboard engines. Whatever your marine needs, at Sea and Shore, we aim to give you great service and leave you satisfied.Sea and ShoreUnits 2 &3324 330 Broughty Ferry RoadDD1 3NNDundeeUK056.4673047-2.9200612Sea and ShoreUnits 2 &3324 330 Broughty Ferry RoadDD1 3NNDundeeUKSea and [email protected] [email protected] 450666Bisset & RossThis company was originally established to cover the fishing industry before WW I. It has remained a family business and the third generation has expanded it to take advantage of the late 20th Century oil boom, present fishery requirements, whilst maintaining the core skills required for the leisure business. Bisset & RossRiverside DriveAberdeenAB11 7SLAberdeenUK057.132558-2.0975411Bisset & RossRiverside DriveAberdeenAB11 7SLAberdeenUKBisset & [email protected]@bissetandross.co.uk01224580659Montrose Rope and Sail Co Ltdwww.montroseropeandsail.co.ukOriginally established for the fishing industry this company has branched out to the extent that they will design and make covers for anything that needs protecting from the weather. They still market ropes and steel/galvanised ropesMontrose Rope and Sail Co LtdUnit 7, Brent AvenueMontroseDD10 9PBMontroseUK056.7347171-2.4644908Montrose Rope and Sail Co LtdUnit 7, Brent AvenueMontroseDD10 9PBMontroseUKMontrose Rope and Sail Co [email protected]@montroseropeandsail.co.uk01674672657Aberdeen Compass Adjusting LtdThis is a new start up by a qualified compass adjuster setting up on his ownAberdeen Compass Adjusting Ltd7 Buckie GroveBridge of DonAB22 8DLAberdeenUK057.1873773-2.1248543Aberdeen Compass Adjusting Ltd7 Buckie GroveBridge of DonAB22 8DLAberdeenUKAberdeen Compass Adjusting [email protected]@compassadjustingaberdeen.comStonehaven Harbourhttps://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/harbours/stonehaven-harbour/Large three basin harbour with berths available for visitors in the outer harbour.Stonehaven HarbourHarbour OfficeOld PierAB39 2JUStonehavenUK056.9606063-2.2014341Stonehaven HarbourHarbour OfficeOld PierAB39 2JUStonehavenUKStonehaven Harbour01569 76274101569 762741Wordmangler2016-09-05T12:41:00+01:00Visitors' berths in StonehavenThe fishing boats now use only the 'corner' berths in the outer harbour - ie the most easterly one on the north wall, and the most northerly one on the west wall of the outer breakwater. This leaves two berths on the west wall of the outer breakwater as designated visitors' berths. The more southerly of these, by the steps near the end of the breakwater, is more subject to swell. In practice the fishing boats don't use the inner berths very often and you may well be able to use them - ask the (very helpful) HM.-1Jan Jaap2023-07-18T11:56:00+01:00Good time in StonehavenWe had a very nice stay in Stonehaven, moored on the inside of the breakwater. Very safe and comfortable. Jim the harbourmaster is very helpfull. The charge is now 25 pounds.-1Don Thomson2016-04-06T12:09:00+01:00Update Spring 2016These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2016. Sadly the promise of a marina has died a death but the good news is that the harbour dues remain the same.-1Barbados Billy2014-06-25T21:24:00+01:00Excellent for a stop while awaiting a tide.The approach and entrance fine and without any surprises. I tied up on the sea end of the outer wall and had a few hours rest. There was a bit of a surge going on and the boat had long lines and all the fenders out and a plank. Harbour master chose not to charge for a few hours which was nice but if you were to stay I would try to move into the inner bit and take the ground if it was at all bumpy outside. I didn't try the town but there was a lot going on in the harbour for kids, brilliant.-1Wordmangler2016-09-05T12:53:00+01:00Eating and DrinkingTandoori Haven in the main street (Allardice Street) serves spectacularly good Bangladeshi food. The Marine Hotel, on the front overlooking the harbour, is friendly and has a huge range of draught ales, as well as their own "6 degrees" range of keg beers.-1Sirona2016-09-07T10:32:00+01:00ShoppingIn addition to the small co-op on the market square that you mentioned, there is also the very good value Farm-Foods (visible from the small co-op) and a larger co-op, located just off the boardwalk - take the turning just before the 2nd river if you are walking from the harbour.-1Don Thomson2018-04-16T11:05:00+01:00UPDATE SPRING 2018This harbour is becoming a very popular spot for over-nighting en route or even waiting for the weather to improve. The HM is sensitive to the surge issues and will bend over backwards to get you inside if there is any hint of a blow.-1Don Thomson 32022-07-18T08:47:00+01:00UPDATE JULY 2022No changes necessary apart from small increase in tariff-1Don Thomson 32021-06-03T10:30:00+01:00Update Early Summer 2021I reviewed these notes in June 2021. They have not changed anything here and the HM is as helpful as ever. Prices are still frozen at £20 a boat. I can personally recommend this harbour having stopped there on numerous occasions.-1Error fetching data: Quota Exceeded