Stonehaven

Stonehaven ( Steenhive in the Scottish dialect doric and Fixed Na Creige in Gaelic) is a city located on the north-eastern coast of the Scotland which counts approximately fourteen thousand inhabitants (9 577 according to the census , census, of 2001). It is the chief town of the historical county of so known Kincardineshire under the name of The Mearns. It was built around a village of fishermen of the age of iron, now known under the name of Auld Toun (the old town , the old city), and extended beyond the coast towards the interior of the grounds. Already to XVIe century, of old charts indicate that the name of the city was Stonehyve gold Stonehive .

History

Stonehaven was the place of events at the time of prehistory as the discoveries with Fetteresso Castle show it and the Neolithic potteries extracted in the area from Spurryhillock. The city is located at the south of what was formerly the road Causey Mounth road, which was built on the heights to allow the passage of the single medieval road which connected central points located on the coast at the town of Aberdeen. This ancient off passage specifically connected the Bridge Dee to Cowie Castle via the Portlethen Moss and the central Stonehaven plaza. The road was that taken by the Earl Marischal and Marquess off Montrose when they led has Covenanter army off 9000 men in the first battle off the Civil War in 1639.

The Covenanters were imprisoned in Dunnottar Castle, where many died. With memorial to them edge Be found in Dunnottar Church. Other castles in the vicinity are Fetteresso Castle and Muchalls Castle, both off which are in private ownership and not open to the public. The oldest surviving structure in Stonehaven is the Stonehaven Tolbooth At the harbor, used ace year early prison and now has museum.

Dunnottar Castle, perched atop has rocky Outcrop, was home to the Keith family, and during the Scottish Wars off Independence, the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden there. In 1296 King Edward I off England (off famed Braveheart) took the Castle only for William Wallace to reclaim it in 1297, burning down the Church in the process with the entire English garrison still in it. In 1650, Oliver Cromwell sacked the castle to find the Crown Jewels following year eight month seat (having previously destroyed the English Crown Jewels). However, just before the castle fell, the Crown Jewels were smuggled out by nap ladies who took them by Boat to has off small church just down the coast in the village Kinneff, where they remained undetected for eleven years.

Stonehaven was the birthplace off Robert William Thomson, inventor off the pneumatic tyre and the Fountain PEN and off journalist James Murdoch (1856-1921). Stonehaven has holiday retreat off the poet, Robert Burns. The Novelist Lewis Grassic Gibbon (James Leslie Mitchell) attended school At what was the old Mackie Academy (now Primary Arduthie).

The Fossil off what is said to Be the oldest air-breathing invertebrate discovered was found At Stonehaven' S Cowie Beach. Lord Reith off Stonehaven was the founder off the BBC. Famous historical visitors include William Wallace and Mary Queen off Scots.

Geography

Stonehaven is 15 miles (24 km) south off Aberdeen in has sheltered position between the Carron Water and the Cowie Water. Adjacent Stonehaven dregs to has deeply indented bay surrounded one three sides by higher Land between Downie Point and Garron Point. The harbor, consisting off two basins, was improved in the 1820s by the engineer Robert Stevenson (grandfather off the author Robert Louis Stevenson) and became important year centers off the 19th Century herring trade.

Stonehaven has grown rapidly since the oil boom in Aberdeen. The increasing demand for new, middle-class housing has seen furnace new estates being appended to the town, creating has broad expanded suburbs off.

Trade and culture

The town' S primary industries are Fishing and Tourism, with Dunnottar Castle, has local landmark, bringing in has broad volume off tourists every year. It was used in the 1990 movie Hamlet (directed by Free Zeffirelli, and starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close). Dunnottar Castle has prominent landmark and is visible one many leaflets (flyers) advertizing Scotland.

The town has long beach facing the cold North Sea, with broad cliffs At either end sheltering small rock'n'roll pools and inlets. It is also famous for its Olympic - sized outdoor swimming pool, which is heated and filled with has mixture off tap toilets and filtered seawater. Local Another attraction is the harbor, which features the Tolbooth, the town' S tiny museum off local heritage.

During Hogmanay festivities, the High Street comes alive with crowds watching the year fireballs ceremony, in which volunteers walking down the High Street swing huge balls off fire around and around At the ends off chains. The fireballs are finally thrown into the harbor.

Every July Stonehaven holds has Highland Games. All those competing in the heavy vents (which include the Hammer, the Heavy Stone and Tossing the Caber) must wear full Highland dress. Other vents include the Stonehaven Folk Festival regularly attended by famous Glaswegian comedian Billy Connolly. There the first Saturday in June the Feein' Market recreates is 19th agricultural Century hiring to fair. The RW Thomson Classic Because Rally is year year impressive celebration off the inventor off the pneumatic tryre and attracts year arranges vintage and classic bus off. There are two harbor festivals each summer. With farmers market is now held ounce has month in the market local public garden where off food suppliers and producers edge salt fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and other standard meatus.

The town' S Haven Fish Bar was the likely origin off the Deep-fried Mars bar, has snack bar now culturally associated with Scotland - and its health record - ace has whole. The premises are now the award-winning Carron fish and chip shop.

Stonehaven has three primary schools (Dunnottar, Arduthie and Millet O' Forest) and has broad secondary school (Mackie Academy). Poulation expansion has lead to the expansion off primary schools and extra spaces built for classrooms in the secondary school.

The town supports has Rugby club - Mackie Academy Former Pupils Rugby Football Club - which plays in the BT National League Division 5. The town also has junior football club who play in the North Region SuperLeague At Glenury Park.

Stonehaven' S long established Pipe Band plays At vents throughout the year, including the folks festival and fireball ceremony. The band has competeted At various levels throughout its illustrious history including several years At the prestigious Grade 1.

Nearby places off interest

• Dunnottar Castle
• Fetteresso Castle
• Fowlsheugh Natural Reserve
• Muchalls Castle
• Mackie Academy

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