Stonehaven - Town & Seafront

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Stonehaven Town & Seafront, with Detectives helping Chief Inspector Kat O'Moran investigate the death of skilled sailor Spinny Kerr and work through handwritten clues said to be based around Stonehaven.

The investigation covers 2.8 miles and should take 2.5+ hours to complete. You'll follow a circular route along the seafront, around the town centre and through the picturesque harbour area, taking in the High Street, a footbridge and a boardwalk before returning to the start area.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. There is one set of steep steps on the route, but an alternative route avoids the steps for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Take great care around the harbour wall, especially during stormy weather. The route also includes road crossings and an awkward junction at Arduthie Street, so keep Mini Detectives close while the evidence hunt is underway.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Queen Elizabeth Car Park, off Beach Road at the Leisure Centre (AB39 2RD).

By public transport: Make your way to Queen Elizabeth Car Park, off Beach Road at the Leisure Centre, then begin the case from there. The Trail is circular and returns to the start area.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found at the car park near the Old Pier, before Clue 07, and near Market Square at Clue 18.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome on this dog friendly trail. 🐾

The route includes the seafront, harbour area, boardwalk, town streets, road crossings and an awkward junction at Arduthie Street, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic, water and the harbour wall, especially during stormy weather.

Food & Drink Stops

Sleuthing beside the sea can sharpen appetites, but you'll need to wait until the second half of the Trail, which takes in the town centre, to pick up provisions. Bringing a picnic with you is suggested if your detective squad likes to stay well supplied from the start.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Stonehaven Open-Air Pool

Stonehaven's Open-Air Pool is the only Art Deco 50 metre salt water heated pool in the UK. It opened on 4th June 1934 and was built at a cost of £9,529 - a very stylish extra for Detectives who like their clues with a splash of seaside history.

Stonehaven Harbour

The picturesque harbour is a key part of the investigation and well worth enjoying at a slower pace. Stonehaven Harbour was first built prior to 1607, but repeated storms meant it was constantly being repaired. In the 1820s, engineer Robert Stevenson, grandfather of author Robert Louis Stevenson, was given the job of strengthening and improving it.

The Bridge of Stonehaven

The Bridge of Stonehaven was built by Robert Barclay for £142 and is traditionally seen as the dividing line between the old and new towns of Stonehaven. Once the case is under control, it's a neat spot to pause and picture how the town developed around this crossing.

White Bridge

This Category C listed White Bridge has had its own recent plot twist. It was removed from the site in 2019 and refurbished while 2km of the banks of the River Carron were built up and reinforced, then replaced and reopened to the public in September 2023.