Guide to Manageable Walks with Young Children in and around Stonehaven

We are grateful to Liz Johnstone of Stonehaven who supplied the information on the first three walks which she enjoys with her young children Eilidh and Kirsty. 

We are interested to hear from anyone with information on other walks 

Walk No.1 -- Skatie Shore

To get there drive up past Stonehaven Golf Course and park in the in the car park on the left. From there, taking great care, cross the road to the path opposite. Follow the track through the woods, under the railway bridge to the seashore. Continue along to the right and there you find Skatie Shore. It's great for rock pooling. If you feel inspired you can continue on along the beach up the path at the other side and then along the edge of the golf course past the chapel ruin and the remains of Cowie Castle and then down into Cowie Village and back to Stonehaven. Someone obviously has to go back for the car! The whole walk takes about 1¼ hours with lots of stone throwing and stick gathering on the way. 

Walk No.2 --Finlayston Bridge/ Cheynehill Wood

Take the Slug Road out of Stonehaven for approximately 2 miles and park on the left about 200 yards before you get to the bridge. (This is the first Bridge you come to after leaving Stonehaven. It is also known as the ink bottle.) It's a busy road so park off the road if you can. From there climb over the gate and continue up the hill bearing to the left.

The track climbs up the hill through the wood and onto the moor. There are often ponies on the moor and always lots of other wildlife to spot. Carry on along the path and then down into a dip. (The path becomes a bit patchy here.) Follow on round to the right and the path gradually improves. Follow the main path back down through the woods and you should end up back at the car. The walk will take about an hour. 

It is also possible to walk along the Cowie Water. This is a there and back walk unless you are prepared to walk along the road. The walk starts on the Stonehaven side of the bridge but park the car in the woods on the other side of the bridge and carefully walk back across and through the gate on you right.

The path drops down to the river and at one point broadens out into a lovely picnic spot. This walk can be as long or as short as you want and can be joined with the walk above but you then have to walk back along the busy Slug Road for about 200 metres. 

Walk No.3 ---Scolty Hill, Banchory

Follow the Slug Road from Stonehaven to Banchory. Once there take the B974 (Strachan) and then turn first right after crossing the bridge. Follow the road until you come to a Forestry Commission entrance on the right. There is ample parking off the road here.

From here continue on foot along the forest road bearing to the let. Go through a gate and follow the path round to the left and then on up the hill. It's a steep climb to the monument at the top but well worth the views. It is also possible to climb to the top of the tower by an internal stairway.

For a slightly less arduous ascent go straight ahead at the gate and continue on the path round to the top. The walk takes about 2 hours with a quick refuelling stop on the way. This is a slightly more difficult walk and may cost a few bribes!!!