A major new tourism project designed to shine the spotlight on an Aberdeenshire community’s spectacular vistas, award-winning food and top-rated visitor attractions has been launched.
Stonehaven Tourism Group and Business Association has created a brand new website called Stunning Stonehaven to promote the coastal town.
Yesterday, business leaders from throughout the area gathered at the harbour to celebrate the new tourism tool.
They were joined by local paddle boarders, the land train, and a member of the Stonehaven’s famous Hogmanay fireball swingers.
Sheila Howarth, owner of the Belvedere Hotel, is one of the members of the committee behind the new visitor’s website.
She explained the new online platform was designed to help local businesses support each other.
She said: “With the demise of the oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, we faced many hardships.
“Stonehaven was essentially a dormitory town for the city, and without all the business that brought, then all we have been left with is tourism.
“We want to get Stonehaven back to the position it had previously as a thriving, vibrant town.
“We’ve got so many wonderful assets that we really want to share worldwide, and the website has been launched as a response to that.
“But it’s not just for visitors and tourists, we want it to be a handy guide for north-east locals as well about what’s on, where to eat and drink, where to stay and what to see in Stonehaven.
“Our plan is to also evolve the website and bulk it out with the history of the town as well, so they can find out more about the historic Tolbooth and Dunnottar castle.”
British Olympic curler Jackie Lockhart, who has lived in Stonehaven for the past 30 years, officially launched the website at yesterday’s ceremony.
She said: “Stonehaven itself is a fantastic little town, but you can never rest on your laurels.
“We’ve got so much on our doorstep here, the Castle, the shops, the local businesses, walks, cycles – you could go on and on.
“This new website will help to ensure that nobody forgets that. Tourism is just so vitally important for Stonehaven, and we really need to work together to promote our community.”
To find out more visit www.stunningstonehaven.co.uk
