Day 6 - Stonehaven

Tuesday 28^th June 2016 – Stonehaven – Day 6

We awoke to a cold, showery day with a strong breeze from the south west.

Carried out some maintenance on board in the morning; then off for a stroll in the afternoon.

We walked along the sea front overlooking the pebble beach which took us to the open air heated swimming pool, on a day like this, it was not inviting.

Up the hill took us to Jack’s auntie’s house, where he used to stay while on holiday. The family ran the hotel next door which has now become a care home; this building which is four storeys high dominates the town.

Town Hall

  

Fish & Chips with extras

 

Back into the square another impressive building is the town hall and I was intrigued by this fish shop sign.

Scotland, I believe is the only country where you can indulge in a deep fried mars bar; not to my liking and I don’t wish to try one.

At 16.30 we met up again with Jack’s cousin Bill at the Old Tolbooth which is the oldest building in Stonehaven.  It lay empty and deteriorated between the wars, suffering damage to its roof in November 1944 when a mine which drifted in on the tide exploded in the harbour.  The building was restored and reopened in 1963, and now serves as a museum and excellent seafood restaurant. 

 

Bill (left) & Jack (right)

The museum within the Tolbooth is now run by a local community group, Bill is a member and he opened up the museum especially for us.

Inside there are some fine displays with a fascinating video of the Hogmanay (new year’s eve) celebrations.

This is the only place in the world where about a dozen of the locals, men and women swing fire balls around their heads, as they parade up and down the high street, accompanied by a marching pipe band.  The onlookers all appear to enjoy the spectacle which ends with the fire balls being tossed into the harbour to be extinguished.

At night, we returned to the town square and Bar 44 and dined on broccoli soup and beef risotto which was all very nice.

We were back on board for 21.30 and early to bed, the weather had not changed, cold, showery and breezy.

An interesting day with Jack remembering his school day holidays, while I was fascinated by the history of the town.