Need some inspiration for family days out away from the crowds? We’ve rounded up our favourite local ideas for an outdoor, ‘blow the cobwebs away’ day out.

Holiday Pupfection

Dog lovers of all ages will be in canine heaven with a visit to Husky Haven. Take a guided tour of the kennels and learn all about training of the Siberian Husky team.

Cost per adult is £15 and under 16s are £10 each – booking is a must. Even if you can’t visit, drool over these handsome huskies here.

Take The Treasure Trail

A self-guided Stonehaven Heritage Treasure Hunt is the perfect way to find out more about the town. Great for family members of all ages as you take the tour at your own pace - the suggested time for a walking trail of 3 miles on a loop is 2.5 hours. You can download a treasure hunt trail to suit a group of up to six. There’s a murder mystery Stonehaven treasure trail as well as a heritage one and there are plenty of other options in Aberdeen and across Aberdeenshire some of which involve driving elements.

At £9.99 each, these are excellent value for a half day’s entertainment – there are not many attractions where a family of four can have so much fun for £2.50 per head. Download a copy here.

Folly In The Woods

Dunnottar Woods is described by the Forestry Commission as a community wood – and there are plenty of surprises to find from the intriguing Shell House folly to Lady Kennedy’s Bath – an oval stone structure used by Lady Kennedy in the 19^th century to swim in summer. Take a small backpack for younger family members to collect ‘treasure’ on the way – autumn leaves and pine cones - or a small lidded plastic pot to collect and examine some mini beasts up close before freeing them to their natural environment.

Download this Forestry Commission leaflet of walks of forest guides around Aberdeenshire for this – and plenty more inspiration.

There’s s also a suggested walking route for Dunnottar Woods on the Stunning Stonehaven Website

Along The Boardwalk

A beautiful walk from Stonehaven beach to the harbour anyway, this walk is further enhanced by a series of amazing metal sculptures. These are the responsibility of Stonehaven’s very own ‘Banksie’. These sculptures appear overnight in secret and have become a much-loved attraction for the town. The artworks include a dolphin, a lighthouse and a ship and the newest addition is a bi-plane. Find our more by clicking here. 

Holiday Money Burning a Hole in Your Pocket?

We’ve all been there haven’t we? Grannie’s given you some holiday money and you want to spend it ALL and you want to spend it NOW. My Beautiful Caravan in Market Square has the cure. This is a quirky shop for all ages with a great selection of ‘holiday money’ treats from Dinosaur Bingo to a Nature Finds Kaleidoscope or a wind up pigeon to a Hagrid plate!

Skatie Shore

We all love a hidden gem and Skatie Shore certainly is one. It can be reached from Stonehaven Golf course, or by walking through the woodland of the Den of Cowie and beneath the railway viaduct. Skatie Shore is the most southernly bay of the Scottish Highlands, as it lies immediately to the north of Garron point and the Highland Boundary Fault, which forms the geological divide between the highlands and lowlands of Scotland.

It’s also a great opportunity for some ‘bucket and spade’ action or rock pool examining with the ubiquitous ‘bandy net’.

 RSPB Fowlsheugh

This RSPB reserve is just along the coast from Dalriada, where the steep cliffs attract thousands of breeding seabirds every year. There’s a car park and then it’s a short walk until you are surrounded by the awe-inspiring sight and sounds of a great gathering of guillemots, razorbills and puffins. The walk offers plenty of opportunities to see a great variety of local flora and fauna too.

We’re always on hand to give recommendations for things to do and places to see – just ask!

We recommend that you always check opening hours and restrictions with all attractions etc before visiting