Your guide to living south of the city | Houses for sale Stonehaven

Nestled on the North-east coast is a variety of beautiful towns and villages all within a short distance of Aberdeen City including Chapelton, Stonehaven, Newtonhill, Findon and Portlethen. Offering the peace and tranquillity of coastal living with easy access to the city centre – living south of Aberdeen offers residents the best of both worlds. 

With endless local amenities, picturesque outdoor trails, ample activities and fantastic schooling options, Chapelton is one of the many towns that presents a high-quality way of life. In this blog post, we’ve created a brief guide on what the south of Aberdeen has to offer alongside why it’s considered such a desirable place to live…

Activities and attractions

Recognised for its rolling countryside and rugged coastline, the north-east of Scotland is filled with incredible landscapes. Whether you’re an avid mountain biker or enjoy a gentle weekend stroll, the great outdoors is definitely one of the selling points of living in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. 

Some of the most popular walking routes and trails scattered across the south of the city include Stonehaven beach, Dunnottar woods, Stonehaven harbour, the Stonehaven to Portlethen Coastal route and the Chapelton Trail. Varying in length and terrain, there are plenty of options to choose from – suitable for all abilities. 

When it comes to superb historic attractions, Aberdeen is filled with noble castles and ancient monuments. Flocking from near and afar, Dunnottar Castle is one of Aberdeen’s most popular attractions and is located on the edge of Stonehaven. It’s unbelievable positioning and impressive history make it a must-see for those living or visiting the area.

If you’re looking for a fun-filled family activity, the Farm Stop in Portlethen is purpose-built for visitors to interact with the local farm animals including sheep, cows and pigs – the perfect place to teach your little ones about farm life. It’s not just your little ones that can reap the benefits of living south of Aberdeen as there is also a nearby dog park allowing your four-legged friends to play safely. 

Food and Drink 

Grab yourself a fresh cup of coffee and indulge in a delicious home bake from one of the many coffee shops available in the local area including Brae, Molly’s Cafe Bar and Skateraw Store. 

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a spot of lunch or an evening meal there are plenty of mouth-watering dining options, from tasty pub grub at The Ship Inn and The Newton Arms to fine cuisine at The Marine Hotel and The Stack Restaurant and Bar.

When it comes to delicious seafood, the North-east coast is definitely the place to be! With a passion for serving local and sustainably sourced produce, The Bay Fish and Chips is an award-winning fish and chip shop situated on Stonehaven beachfront. Additionally, The Tolbooth Seafood Restaurant is located in one of Stonehaven’s oldest buildings and serves some of the finest local seafood caught right on its doorstep. 

Schooling options 

Whether you’re a couple looking to set roots in a new town or a growing family wanting somewhere that has ample school options, there are multiple towns south of the city that contain reputable schools.

For those with little ones who are due to take their first steps into the world of education, there are lots of nurseries spread across the south. The Croft Nurseries has two premises located in both Stonehaven and Chapelton, while the nearby town of Portlethen also has the Great Western Pre-school. 

You are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect primary school with multiple schools dotted about including Newtonhill Primary School, Portlethen Primary School, Dunnottar Primary School and Catterline Primary School. Alongside this, there are two nearby secondary schools; Mackie Academy and Portlethen Academy.

Transport links

The south of Aberdeen is filled with a number of reliable transport links including Portlethen and Stonehaven Railway station which gives locals direct access to Aberdeen city centre, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aviemore and more – offering plenty of opportunities to explore Scotland’s bustling cities and breathtaking landscape. 

In addition to the railway station, there are lots of popular bus services that run between various towns outwith the city such as the X7 coastrider which travels to Aberdeen, Stonehaven and beyond. The A90 bus service is ideal for visitors and residents of Chapelton and Newtonhill as it stops at the nearby Park and Choose Facility.  

For those travelling by road, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is one of the major transport routes that connects the south of the city to the north. Stretching for 36 miles, the road goes all the way from Stonehaven to Blackdog helping to reduce congestion and improve accessibility. 

Aberdeen airport is also only a short distance from Chapelton, making it very accessible for those travelling within the UK or abroad. 

Looking to make your move to Chapelton?