Community Information

Aberdeenshire Council

Visit: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

For information on schools, housing, business, planning, Council Tax, etc.

Aberdeenshire Councillors

There are 19 wards in Aberdeenshire, each with either three or four elected members. Each of these members has an equal responsibility for the whole ward. To make this work effectively, ward members work together in a collaborative way sharing duties, information and knowledge.

Stonehaven lies in Ward 18 - click to see contact details for our councillors: Ward 18 - Stonehaven and Lower Deeside Councillors

In Aberdeenshire Council, Councillors make decisions with other Councillors in Council committees or sub-committees. Decisions can be made by mutual agreement or as the result of a vote. Currently, the Aberdeenshire system of committees consists of an Area Committee for each of the Council’s six areas, along with four central policy committees, an audit committee as well as Full Council.

Stonehaven is part of: Kincardine & Mearns Area Committee 

Area Committees deal with a wide range of local issues and cover all of the central Policy Committees’ interests. Major elements include the determination of planning applications, agreeing local revenue and capital budgets, providing local input into policy making and monitoring the local delivery of services.

Area Committees consist of all local Councillors (between 10 - 14 Members each) and the central policy committees have around 14 members each.

The 4 Policy Committees:

• Business Services Committee – Responsibilities include finance, ICT, legal services (including licensing and registration of births, deaths and marriages), property and facilities management, human resources and valuation and electoral registration.
• Communities Committee – Responsibilities include adult social work services (except those delegated to the Integration Joint Board), community planning, housing, lifelong learning and leisure, matters relating to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Scottish Police Authority, and monitoring the Integration Joint Board for Health & Social Care
• Education & Children's Services Committee – Responsibilities include education, children's social work services and human resources support for teaching staff.
• Infrastructure Services Committee – Responsibilities include economic development and protective services, planning and building standards, transportation, and roads, landscape services and waste management and matters relating to the Aberdeen City Region Deal and visitor attractions.

Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023

The Local Development Plan 2023 was formally adopted on 13th January 2023.

An interactive storymap of the LDP 2023 can be viewed here

The full LDP plan and its appendices can be viewed here

Alcohol & Drugs Action

Alcohol & Drugs Action is a leading provider of alcohol and drug support services in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Their services are open to individuals, family members and friends.

www.alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk

Support available 7 days a week:

• Monday – Friday: 10.30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 2pm-5pm

Helpline: 0333 3 448 35

Text/WhatsApp: 07927 192 706

Back to Top

Bus Timetables

X7 8 8A X8 (including N8 Night Bus - Friday & Saturday nights)  

Aberdeen - Portlethen - Newtonhill - Chapelton - Stonehaven

View X7 8 8A X8 Stagecoach timetables 

4A 4C 

Stonehaven Town Service (Barclay Street - Robert Street (Doctors) - Thomson Terrace - Forest Park - Farrochie Road - Mackie Academy - Railway Station)

View 4A 4C Stagecoach timetables

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Kincardine & Mearns CAB is open Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 4pm in Stonehaven.  

Give them a call on 01569 766578 to get advice on any issues or problems you’re facing, or to arrange an appointment at the bureau. They can help with relatively simple issues over the phone, particularly if you’re looking for a quick answer to something straight-forward.

Send them an email via www.kamcab.org.uk with information about the issue you’re having and what type of advice you would like. Email is a useful way to contact them if you don't need an answer urgently. 

Please be aware they currently don't have a walk-in service. 

They aim to return queries within 48 hours, with advice/appointment. Unless urgent, appointment wait time is 4-6 weeks. 

For self-help advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland has advice on:

• Benefits - including benefits check, volunteering, Universal Credit claims, sanctions, advice on help for those on a low income 
• Work - including minimum wage, sick pay, holiday pay, redundancy
• Debt & Money - including car finance claims, cost of living advice, budgeting, mortgage payments, debt advice
• Consumer Advice - including energy supply, travel & holidays, scams
• Housing - including options for older people, young people, homelessness, tenancy advice, rent arrears
• Family Advice - including separation, divorce, carer support, funerals, fostering
• Law & Courts - including parking tickets, discrimination, licences, support for victims and witnesses of crime
• Immigration - including advice on settled status, visas, citizenship, advice for asylum interviews
• Health - including patients' rights, NHS complaints, advice on accessing dental treatment

Community Councils Scotland

Visit Community Councils Scotland for news, support and resources for Community Councils from the Scottish Government

Constituency MP

Constituency: West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Andrew Bowie is the Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, and has been an MP continually since 8 June 2017. He currently undertakes the roles of Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero), and Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.

For more information and contact details visit: Andrew Bowie MP

Constituency & Regional MSPs

There are certain things that the Scottish Parliament has the power to make decisions on. These are known as devolved matters. Click for the full list of current MSPs

We're represented by 8 MSPs. One constituency MSP who represents our local area, and 7 regional MSPs who represent our larger area.  You can contact either type of MSP about the following devolved matters:

• agriculture and fisheries
• education and training
• environment
• health and social services
• housing
• justice and policing
• local government
• transport

You can also contact one of our MSPs about some aspects of social security - these include the following benefits:

• Best Start Grant
• Carer's Allowance/Carer’s Allowance Supplement
• Funeral Support Payment
• Young Carer Grant 
   

The most recent election to the Scottish Parliament took place on 6 May 2021.  The next election is expected to be held in May 2026.

Back to Top

Mearns FM

Mearns FM plays music from the 60s to today and specialist programming in the evenings.

The programme schedule can be found here.

Mearns FM supports many local charities – email events@mearnsfm.org.uk

Click for contact details for Mearns FM

NHS Inform

NHS Inform is Scotland’s national health information service.

Their aim is to provide accurate and relevant information to help people make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.

They provide information about:

• illnesses, injuries and conditions
• tests and treatments
• healthy living topics – such as smoking, alcohol, drugs and drug use, food and nutrition and mental wellbeing
• health news and events
• national health campaigns
• services provided by GPs, pharmacies and dental surgeries in Scotland
• your rights when using these services

Police Scotland

North East division is the area covered by Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils. The division is made up of the five area commands including Aberdeenshire South.

Aberdeenshire South

Priorities
The priorities for our area are decided by data from a strategic assessment which details threats and risks, and also from feedback from local authorities, partners, and residents in the Your Police survey.

• Protecting vulnerable people
• Serious organised crime
• Antisocial behaviour, violence and disorder
• Road safety and road crime
• Crimes of theft and dishonesty
• Counter terrorism and domestic extremism.
• For local contact details and police station opening hours visit: Police - Aberdeenshire South

Rotary Club of Stonehaven

Started in 1947, the Rotary Club of Stonehaven is one of the oldest in the North East Scotland. They have around 40 members who are all active in the many projects and events that they undertake locally, nationally and overseas.

They are committed to offering young people a range of opportunities to unlock their potential, develop their skills and broaden their horizons.

Find them on Facebook

Visit Rotary Club of Stonehaven to find out more.

Saltire Award

What are the Saltire Awards?
The Saltire Awards are the Scottish Government's way of celebrating, recognising and rewarding the commitment, contribution and achievements of young volunteers in Scotland, aged between 11 and 25.

Young people can gain nationally recognised certificates, signed by Scottish Government Ministers, for the volunteering they do.

Why you might want to volunteer?

• Gain new skills and experience that will look great on your CV and could help you at school and/or work
• Meet new people and make new friends and connections
• Make a difference to individual people, communities and the environment
• Have fun! You will have the chance to get involved in variety of activities that might not have done before

Schools in Stonehaven

Primary Schools:

Arduthie School – contact details, catchment and website

No current inspection report - To request an inspection report older than five years that is not currently on website contact: EdSscrutinyofficialcorrespondence@educationscotland.gov.scot 

Dunnottar School – contact details, catchment and website

Dunnottar School Inspection Report – March 2024

Mill o' Forest School – contact details, catchment and website

Mill o' Forest School Inspection Report – September 2025

Special School:

Carronhill School –  contact details, catchment and website

Carronhill School Inspection Report – November 2022

Academy:

Mackie Academy – contact details, catchment and website

Mackie Academy Inspection Report – May 2025

Back to Top

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the national membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.

Visit SCVO for information on how to set up a charity, guidance on good governance for your organisation, information on how to access funding, training programmes and access to HR resources.

Scottish Rural Action

Scottish Rural Action aims to:

• build a grassroots-led rural movement in Scotland that connects rural communities with each other and with politicians and decision-makers;
• collaborate with seldom-heard groups to create platforms that better enable their participation in the rural movement;
• collectively develop a cross-sectoral, locally-informed understanding of rural Scotland's economy, society and culture that shapes local practice & national policy;
• deliver the biennial Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament 

Stonehaven & District Lions Club

Stonehaven & District Lions Club is part of the Lions International family of volunteers – whose aim is to put something back into our local community, whilst supporting national and global projects. Lions are ready and willing to jump in wherever there’s a need.

Over the years we have organised major local events including:

• Stonehaven Feein’ Market
• Stonehaven Christmas Lights Switch-on Event
• Stonehaven Harbour Festival (along with our fellow local service organisations)

Stonehaven & District Round Table

Stonehaven & District Round Table is a young men's club open to anyone ages 18-45 (who identifies as being, or lives as male).

The Stonehaven & District Round Table participates in various activities such as:

• organised monthly social events on the 3rd Thursday of the month for activities such as paddleboarding, karting etc
• organising the Stonehaven Fireworks Display
• supporting local groups
• fundraising for our local community

Contact them at: stonehaven@roundtable.org.uk

Back to Top

Stonehaven Business Association

Stonehaven Business Association is a non-profit organisation formed by owners and managers of local businesses across the retail, industrial, tourism and commercial sectors. The website features a comprehensive monthly What's On calendar of events.

The Stonehaven Business Association (SBA) has been involved in establishing and supporting many groups which are active in the town including:

The Horizon Project has been improving the environment locally through floral displays, litter clean ups, the Beechgrove Garden Project and many other environmental improvements.

Stonehaven Farmers and Produce Market is held the first Saturday each month from 9am-1pm next to the Market Square. The producers offer excellent quality local produce, including meat, vegetables, jams and pickles, plants and much more.

Christmas Lights are provided each year by the SBA through fundraising activities and membership fees. 

Stonehaven Car Boot Sales Weather permitting, they run from April-October on Sundays in the Market Square. Set-up is from 8am and selling between 9am and 1pm. Pitches cost £10 (maximum of 2 parking spaces - additional spaces will incur a further £10 per space) and the fee is collected on the day.  Come along to sell or just to buy, and you can be sure to find trash and treasure in equal measure! Running of the event alternates between the SBA and local charities and not-for-profit groups.  If your charity works locally and wants to take part then email sba@stonehaven.biz to add your group to the list to make sure you are invited. There are more worthy causes than weeks – invites are sent to all who ask – and then it is first come first served basis.

Window Guessing Competition is always very popular with both local and visiting children in the summer holidays. Local businesses place an item in their shop window – something that they do not normally sell - and the task for the participants is to visit all the shops taking part to try and identify those items. Any funds raised go towards the cost of the christmas lights.

Stonehaven Farmers' & Produce Market

Stonehaven Farmer's Market operates on the 1st Saturday of each month from 9am – 1pm.

Email stonehavenfarmersmarket@gmail.com for more information or visit: www.facebook.com/StonehavenFarmersMarket

Stonehaven Horizon Group

Stonehaven Horizon Project Group is a voluntary group which was formed in 2005 to foster civic pride in our town.
The group gained charitable status in 2025 (SCIO) charity number SCO54132.

For regular updates about their gardening activities around town, visit: www.facebook.com/stonehavenhorizon 

Email stonehavenhorizon@outlook.com to get involved.

Stonehaven Medical Group

The Stonehaven Medical Group website provides full details of the services the practice offers.

eConsult is a simple online form to get advice and treatment by the end of the next working day.

Visit https://stonehavenmedicalgroup.webgp.com to get started

If you do not have access to the internet please call: 0345 337 1160 to speak to the team.

Stonehaven Medical Centre
Robert Street
Stonehaven
Kincardineshire
AB39 2EL

Back to Top

Stonehaven Men's Shed

Stonehaven Men's Shed is based in the Beach Pavilion in Stonehaven. It's a place for men to meet, engage, learn, build, chat, listen and otherwise fill the day. 

OPENING TIMES
The Shed currently opens on the following days / times:
– Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:30
– Thursday evenings from 18:30 to 21:30 (during winter months commencing October 30th 2025)

The Facebook page gives regular updates of current activities including the monthly Stonehaven Farmers and Produce Market.

Stonehaven Town Partnership

Stonehaven Town partnership aims to be the central point of contact and coordination for all organisations, and through them, the people of Stonehaven in relation to matters affecting the town’s growth and economic development, the well-being of inhabitants, and the promotion of the town’s attractions including the Stonehaven Land Train.

For more information visit: https://stpweb.org 

The Bellman

The Bellman is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation – a SCIO (charity number: SC050368).

The organisation’s purpose is to advance citizenship or community development through representing and promoting the news, interests and amenities of the community in Stonehaven by providing a free, digital news website.

The success of the Bellman will depend on the clubs, societies and people of Stonehaven using it as their go to place to post information about their activities, special events and stories. Any content that is about the town, its people or heritage would be welcome – stories, photos, videos all wanted.

Follow us on Facebook, or visit The Bellman regularly to catch up on what’s been happening in Stonehaven.

To contact the Bellman and to send us content, please email:

news@thebellman.co.uk 

Traveline Scotland

Traveline Scotland is a national public transport information service. It is run as a public-private partnership between commercial public transport operators, Transport Scotland, and local authorities who together contribute funds, data and expertise towards the day-to-day-running of the service.

Their aim is to provide everyone with up-to-date, accurate, impartial and understandable information on all public transport services within Scotland, and from Scotland to major destinations in other parts of the UK.

They cover bus, coach, rail, ferry, subway, tram and air services.

Back to Top

Volunteer Scotland

Why Volunteer?

Each year, millions of people in Scotland volunteer. By giving your time you're making a difference to others and you’re also doing something that's good for you. Whether you're looking for a regular commitment or you've a few hours to spare - there's lots of opportunities available.

Start your volunteer journey – visit Volunteer Scotland to search by keyword or location

Volunteers aged 16-25 taking part in some volunteering opportunities can claim Saltire Awards hours for their activity. Find out more at: Saltire Awards

Young Scot

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) is free of charge to 11 to 26-year-olds living in Scotland.

To apply for a new or replacement Young Scot NEC, or update your photo visit: young.scot/the-young-scot-card

You can use your Young Scot NEC for:

• free bus travel for under 22s
• discounted train & free and discounted ferry travel 
• 1,000s of discounts at retailers and venues across Scotland
• Proof of Age
• Young Scot Rewards
• 1000s of discounts across Europe with the European Youth Card Association (EYCA)
• Proving your identity to open a bank account
• Voting in a UK General Election
• school lunches

Back to Top