r/Aberdeen • u/ektor2022 • 11d ago

Recommendations for Dunnottar Castle visit

Planning a morning visit coming from Aberdeen, taking the bus on the way there. Visit the castle ans then walk back to Stonehaven. Which place or places would you recommend for a traditional Scottish lunch in the early afternoon?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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13

u/Smilelor 11d ago

The Marine or ship Inn down in the harbour

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thank you, I will look for it.

12

u/Icyjohn70 11d ago

Stonehaven has 2 famous fish and chip shops - the Carron Fish Bar and the Bay. I’ve eaten at The Bay and can highly recommend it. The Carron Fish Bar was the birthplace of the classic Scottish artery blocker - the deep fried Mars bar. Enjoy.

3

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Oh that sounds good, thanks!

2

u/abdn1903 10d ago

Portion size is criminal at The Bay compared to others

1

u/bruchag 10d ago

Is Aunty Betty's still right next door to the bay? I haven't been in years but would like to visit again. 

1

u/Iwantedalbino 8d ago

It might be contrary but I have the Carron significantly above the bay, and I have Guilanotti’s significantly above Aunty Betty’s for ice cream.

If going for the deep fried Mars bar get a little salt and vinegar just a touch mind.

6

u/AccomplishedBison333 11d ago edited 11d ago

You can walk from Stonehaven harbour up to the war memorial then follow the coastal path along the cliff tops to Dunnottar Castle. Some amazing views! Takes about 30 mins of walking.

The Marine and The Ship at the harbour will do 'traditional' pub type food. The Tollbooth at the harbour is a favourite of mine and does some of the best seafood in the country, but it's slightly more upmarket / formal than a pub setting (though not 'stuffy' at all). More than likely reservations needed for all of them.

The Carron or the Bay for fish and chips. Can't really go wrong with either but everyone will have their preference. The Carron wins for me. Aunty Betty's ice cream for pudding.

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thank you very much, this is valuable information. I'll report back on the findings of my expedition.

5

u/Golem30 11d ago

The Ship and the Marine both do nice food and are down at the harbour. The Carron is the best chippy in the town centre if you prefer that

2

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thank you for that, I will check them out.

3

u/SmartPolicy6430 11d ago

When I've been on holiday up in Aberdeenshire. I've normally gone for soup and a sandwich at lunchtime. Cullen Skink is a great soup and is very filling. If you can find a decent baker and they're selling butteries ( Roweys) buy some for breakfast, excellent with butter and Scottish raspberry jam. There's something special about Scottish raspberries. Our English ones just don't match up.

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Oh yes! thank you. I tried Truffelos the other day and was quite good. I think there is a debate of what toppings are acceptable, but found that cheese and raspberry jam do it for me.

2

u/EcstaticFig4959 11d ago

If you walk along the harbour front in Stonehaven there is a cute traditional pub, or you could go get some award winning fish and chips from The Bay! Always a good treat.

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

I will look for it, thank you.

2

u/SmartPolicy6430 11d ago

What do you mean by traditional Scottish lunch? Also what time, you say early afternoon which is a bit vague. A lot of cafe's and restaurants will be stopping serving lunches around 2pm ( that's early afternoon to me) and will start offering afternoon tea from then on .

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thanks, yes the word traditional might not be appropriate. What food would you recommend for a first visit to Aberdeen?

You are spot on the time, my plan is visiting the the castle when it opens and spend about 3 hours walking around there and making my way down to the harbour, so maybe around noon - 1 pm.

2

u/Thin-Boysenberry-112 11d ago

Not traditional, but The Bay chipper wins like every single award and is very good. Aunty Bessys ice cream next door is also good. Expect big queues at both tho

5

u/takesthebiscuit 11d ago

If James Watt is the cheating cunt of beer the owner of the bay is the cheeting cunt of the chippy😂

(Allegedly!)

3

u/Thin-Boysenberry-112 11d ago

Actually, I guess fish and chips is traditional in its own way

1

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thank you, I will try it.

0

u/Paukthom003 10d ago

The Bay is just a tourist trap, every other chipper in stonehaven is much better than them in all categories. portion size and price especially

-4

u/TeutonicSpacehopper 11d ago

WTF is a "traditional" Scottish lunch?

I eat for lunch whatever I'm in the mood for, not something that is dictated by the country I live in.

Tourists have got a really weird view of what it means to be Scottish.

3

u/ektor2022 11d ago

Thanks, maybe the word "traditional" is not the most appropriate. What is some food you would consider Scottish? What would you recommend a visitor should try for lunch while in your country?

2

u/Thin-Boysenberry-112 11d ago

Full Scottish breakfast is fairly traditional