Stonehaven 

DAY ZERO? Well why not? Anyone making the flight from the Central Time Zone U.S.A. to Gatwick, London's 2nd airport, must feel a bit at a loss - the sudden and overwhelming feeling of having been transported to a foreign shopping mall mistakenly labeled an airport! Then the jocularity of the Information Desk as they direct you to a gate accessible only to aircraft boarding crews - coupled with the delightful epithets the gate attendants at the lower levels apply to the Information Desk folks at the top level - "They're bloody imbeciles", I think was the description they chose.

Leaving Gatwick was a huge relief as I was expected at the Aberdeen Airport at a certain time to meet up with my ride for the duration of the trip, Alice and David Hattenbrun - fellow Clan Keithers from New Hampshire. The impending arrival at Aberdeen was somewhat ominously described by the British Airways Captain as one of several choices for the flight to land at as the sea fog had made Aberdeen less likely than Inverness or Edinburgh as my final destination.

A break in the clouds over Aberdeen, however, saved the day and we landed in plenty of time for me to pick up my baggage and head through the airport exits to see the Hattenbruns - Alice at the wheel and David with his American Flag welder's cap in place just driving past me. The next time round, I was picked up and whisked away to Stonehaven - ah, sweet Stonehaven...and the Ship Inn..

I wasn't awake enough to take photo's of Stonehaven or the Ship Inn on my first day in Scotland, but am supplying a few anyway from various sources. I immediately fell in love with Stonehaven, our bed & breakfast (B&B), and the North Sea and think an introduction is necessary just to get this story off to a good footing.

 As I recall right before going completely numb in my seat at the Ship Inn,, the Hattenbruns had ordered me several pints of Tennants ale and I had chosen a toasted haggis sandwich as my welcoming meal to Scotland. Here's to Haggis - good everywhere in Scotland!

Photo 1: A postcard showing Stonehaven and Regatta Bay.

Photo 2: Another photo of Stonehaven from the 'Official' guide to Stonehaven.

Photo 3: A night view of Stonehaven's harbour.

Photo 4: A Stonehaven New Year's party favour - well, actually an old New Years (Hogmanay) custom of swinging fireballs to welcome the New Year in - there's actually a Guild of Fireball Swingers - another reason to return!

Photo 5: The Annual Fireball Celebration in the High Street of the Old Town of Stonehaven.

Photo 6: A photo of the Ship Inn.

Photo 7: A close up with motorcyclist of the Ship Inn.

Photo 8: What jet lag feels like!

Photo 9: A map showing just how to find Stonehaven - save room for me!

Stonehaven Information

Stonehaven is special, superbly set in the sweeping curve of Stonehaven Bay which rises on either side cliffs 100ft high each carrying a scenic road. The bay bursts on the visitor like a flower as it comes into sight.

A holiday town of about 10,000 people it lies fifteen miles south of Aberdeen , the oil capital of Europe and at the southern gateway to Royal Deeside. 

At the North end and stretching seawards is long pencil-like Garron Point, carrying the town's testing 18-hole golf course on top like an aircraft carrier.

From there looking South is one of the most captivating coastal views in the country. At its furthest point can be seen the white 150ft high sheer cliffs of Fowlhaugh, the sanctuary home of millions of seabirds. 

Back North across the Bay close to the former fishing village of Cowie, at one time a Royal Burgh, lies the town's famous Art Deco open-air heated swimming pool.

A mile or so to the South of Stonehaven standing out from the coast on a stupendous rock is the great castle of Dunnottar. 

Where famous people are concerned Stonehaven's greatest son is Robert William Thomson the most prolific inventor of the 19th century.

From: Stonehaven Community Web

The Ship Inn, Stonehaven

The Ship Inn is a traditional public house built in 1771. The Ship caters for a great cross section of the public from local fishermen, Stonehaven community and the great many tourists from all over the world who visit the town, Dunnottar Castle and the gateway to royal Deeside.