Monthly Archives: March 2024

Springtime delights: 6 must-do activities in and around Stonehaven

Location plays an important part when purchasing your forever home, and having an understanding of the local amenities and nearby activities is essential when househunting to ensure your family feels happy and satisfied after moving in. 

Situated less than 15 miles south of Aberdeen city centre and offering picturesque coastal views, a bustling town centre and fantastic transport links, Stonehaven has become an increasingly popular place to live for couples and families alike. For those seeking more of a community feel, the nearby town of Chapelton offers a variety of beautifully designed homes that enjoy the same benefits as houses for sale in Stonehaven, albeit, in a peaceful and charming setting. The enviable position of this growing town is in the ideal location for prospective homebuyers to enjoy the best of both areas. 

In this blog post, we’ve shared 6 family-friendly activities to enjoy in and around Stonehaven, from sampling delicious treats to making the most of its idyllic coastal location, we’ve got your next family day out in Stonehaven covered! 

Stonehaven beach

Approximately 1.1km in length and attracting thousands of visitors each year, Stonehaven beach is located in the heart of this coastal town and provides a mood-boosting setting ideal for a leisurely stroll. A hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, this breathtaking sandy beach is ideally positioned near a variety of pubs and restaurants, offering the perfect backdrop for those looking to enjoy a day out at the seaside. 

If you’re travelling from Chapelton to Stonehaven by car, there are a number of car parks located a short distance from the beachfront, meaning no long walks in damp swimmers after a dip in the sea! These car parks include Beach Promenade, Market Square and Railway Station Car Park.

Springtime delights: 6 must-do activities in and around Stonehaven
Stonehaven Beach

The Promenade

Once you’ve worked up an appetite after a day at the beach, head up to The Promenade to sample some of the finest food Stonehaven has to offer. Award winning fish and chip shop, The Bay, is the perfect establishment for all seafood lovers, and is conveniently located next door to the highest rated ice cream shop in Stonehaven, Aunty Betty’s – the perfect duo for dinner and dessert! 

 If traditional pub grub is your food of choice, the recently refurbished Molly’s Cafe Bar is also situated by the Stonehaven seafront. Just a short drive from Chapelton, Molly’s is sure to satisfy your breakfast cravings with a delicious Scottish fry up on offer, alongside captivating sea views.

Open air swimming pool

For those seeking a unique swimming experience, Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool is a must-visit attraction. The UK’s only art deco Olympic sized seawater lido, this heated pool is open from May to early September and offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including fun sessions for kids, quiet swims and lane sessions and live entertainment at weekends. 

If you’re looking to stay dry and watch on from the sidelines, The Splash Cafe provides delicious hot food, hot and cold drinks and sweet treats with free access for everyone – the perfect way to spend a fun-filled weekend in spring.

Tolbooth museum

The oldest building in Stonehaven and located on the harbour front, Tolbooth Museum delves into Stonehaven’s rich history providing a real insight into imprisonment and treatment of prisoners over the centuries. Housed in a 17th century tolbooth, the museum is packed full of fun and engaging exhibits to enjoy and is a must-visit destination for those interested in the history and heritage of Aberdeenshire. It even has a 17th-century jail cell for the whole family to explore!

Stonehaven-1024x683 Springtime delights: 6 must-do activities in and around Stonehaven
Stonehaven Tolbooth museum

Dunnottar Castle and woods

Another historical must-see is Dunnottar Castle, a medieval fortress perched dramatically atop a 160 foot rock overlooking the North Sea. Located 2 miles south of Stonehaven and just 9 miles from Chapelton, Dunnottar Castle is steeped in history and known as one of Scotland’s hidden treasures. Playing host to William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots, Dunnottar Castle is open all year round – but we highly recommend visiting in the spring and summer months where you can admire the breathtaking views.

If you’re looking to explore some nearby greenery, make sure to visit Dunnottar Woods, providing a vibrant woodland walk just 3 minutes drive from the grounds of Dunnottar Castle (or a 40 min walk along the coastal footpath from Stonehaven). This family-friendly hiking trail is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll on a crisp spring afternoon.

Dunnottar Castle also offers scenic picnic seating and a selection of refreshments from the C & L Catering Van, as well as conveniently placed visitor parking – ideal for those visiting from Chapelton!

Springtime delights: 6 must-do activities in and around Stonehaven
Dunnottar Castle

RSPB Fowlsheugh Reserve

If you can’t get enough of Stonehaven and the surrounding area, make sure you visit the spectacular cliffs at Fowlsheugh, just a short drive from Stonehaven. The largest mainland seabird colony in the North East, RSPB Fowlsheugh Reserve enjoys awe-inspiring views of thousands of seabirds nestling along the rugged cliffs, including Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes. 

For those venturing out over spring, you’re in luck! As this seabird experience is limited to May – early August, although provides a stunning coastal walk throughout the whole year. 


Visiting Stonehaven couldn’t be easier for Chapelton residents, with the coastal gem and all its family-friendly activities a stone’s throw away!

Browse our houses for sale near Stonehaven

Nourish and glow with The Juicing Co. at The Boxes

Less than a 20 minute drive from Aberdeen city centre, the thriving town of Chapelton provides its residents with an extensive range of beautiful new homes, plentiful green spaces and a bustling town centre. 

In the heart of this vibrant community are The Boxes, temporary retail structures providing start-up businesses with the opportunity to expand their presence. Bringing a refreshing blend of local charm and healthy living to Chapelton, The Juicing Company is the latest addition to The Boxes, offering residents delicious (and nutritious) raw, cold pressed juices. Established in 2017, Founder and Director of The Juicing Co. Vanessa Bremner seized the opportunity to create a company with health and wellbeing at the forefront. 

We sat down with Vanessa to discuss the inspiration behind The Juicing Company, the benefits of cold pressed juices and the inspiration behind opening an establishment in Chapelton’s town centre! 

IMG_8037-1-1024x768 Nourish and glow with The Juicing Co. at The Boxes

What inspired you to establish The Juicing Company and where did your passion for healthy, fresh juice come from?

“My passion began when I saw the difference in my own journey during my time living in Singapore, where I took part in two fitness classes that completely changed my life. I loved learning about nutrition, wholefoods and how we can heal our bodies by using food as medicine. Following this, I threw myself into every nutrition class I could find and changed my entire lifestyle – hunting for every juice bar, raw food cafe and refined, sugar-free treat that Singapore had to offer! 

“Before going to these classes and embarking on my health journey, I suffered from daily fatigue, oily skin, low energy, terrible bloating and stomach pain.  All of these symptoms quickly began to disappear after I overhauled my lifestyle, and started focusing on nourishing my body with fresh whole foods and reducing/eliminating processed foods.

“Honing in on my new-found passion for all things health and wellbeing, my husband and I went on to travel the world – from India to New York, Australia to the Maldives and all over South East Asia – learning more about the local food from each destination. However, after falling pregnant with our first baby in 2015, I returned to Aberdeen and tried to implement our new lifestyle back home, which proved difficult as I struggled to source the same high-quality, healthy foods and raw juice was impossible to find. This inspired me to bring my dream to life and start supplying healthy, cold pressed juices to Aberdeen.

“I took the leap and decided to register The Juicing Co., and everything just seemed to fly from there!” 

What are some of the health benefits people can experience when drinking raw/cold pressed juices?

“Raw, cold pressed juice is an incredible and valuable tool for optimising your health. The juicing process removes the insoluble fibre from the fresh ingredients and produces a pure juice that has come directly from nature – filled with vitamins, minerals and live enzymes!

“Each of our 500ml bottles contains approximately 1kg of fresh produce, and because the insoluble fibre has been removed, the vitamins and minerals within the juice can be absorbed quickly and easily, nourishing your cells and allowing those nutrients to be used exactly where they are needed.

“Incorporating raw, cold pressed juice into your daily diet can provide many health benefits, but consistency is key to seeing long term results. Benefits our clients have reported include clearer and brighter skin, reduced bloating, increased energy, improved sleep and weight loss. Although weight loss isn’t something we focus on, we do have clients who use juicing with their 5:2 etc lifestyles.”

PHOTO-2024-02-25-17-56-45-1-768x1024 Nourish and glow with The Juicing Co. at The Boxes

Why did The Boxes at Chapelton appeal to you when opening The Juicing Company?

“When I was looking to take the next step and open our own juice production kitchen and juicery, an opportunity came up at The Boxes in Chapelton which seemed like the perfect option. A beautiful location with great terms for small businesses and fantastic support from the team at Chapelton was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”

What is your favourite thing about being based in Chapelton?

“Working in Chapelton comes with many perks, but my favourite things about the town have to be the lovely community, stunning views and diverse range of wonderful small businesses.”

What kind of products does The Juicing Company offer?

“We offer a wide range of raw, cold pressed juices made to order from our Chapelton Juicery and with nationwide delivery, ranging from powerful Tonic Shots, Fridge Fillers, 3 Day Cleanses and Mini Cleanse. We also plan to open as a ‘grab and go’ juice shop once a month and/or at The Chapelton farmers markets, allowing you to pop in and enjoy all the incredible benefits of juice on the go. All of our juices have been designed with our Nutritionist to ensure you feel your absolute best – so wherever you are on your health journey, we’ve got you covered.”

To find out more about the other businesses in Chapelton, click below: https://chapeltonnewtown.co.uk/business-directory/