Storm Clean-up: Many of our forests, especially in the east and south of Scotland, remain closed. Please plan ahead and check online before visiting.

Dunnottar Woods

Dunnottar Woods
About Walk Facilities & access Directions Nearby forests Contact
Where we are

Latest forest information

Forests all across Scotland have been seriously affected by recent storms. We are doing everything we can to make our forests safe for visitors, communities, forest businesses and our staff. However, many of our forests remain closed while others have significant diversions and access restrictions for the foreseeable future. Please keep safe and follow all closure notices and safety signage.

Take care on or around open water. Find out more on our Water Safety page.

Update 21 December: The car park and trails are now open but there are some diversions in place. Please follow all on site signage.

About

Lively community wood in the grounds of Dunnottar House

Stonehaven’s lively community wood is full of surprises and stories about the Kennedy family who once lived in Dunnottar House. Walk directly into the woodland from the town and quickly lose yourself in history and nature.

In summer the forest is vibrant, green and speckled with wildflowers. In autumn crunchy beech, ash and sycamore leaves carpet the ground — great for tramping through.

Walking trails

Walking

History Trail

Explore the deciduous woodlands of Dunnottar House and discover its intriguing history at the Shell House, Lady Kennedy’s Bath and Gallow's Hill.

Firm but uneven gravel surface. Long moderate slopes with short steeper sections. Some tree roots and muddy patches. Includes two quiet road crossings.
Moderate trail grade icon
2 miles / 3.4 km

Allow
1 hour

More information

A whole network of paths criss-crosses Dunnottar Woods – this trail is a good place to start, but you can also start from Glasslaw car park, the quarry car park or Low Wood Road in Stonehaven.

Facilities and access

Walking
Walking
Parking icon
Parking
Picnic area
Picnic area
Ancient monument
Ancient monument

There are plenty of places to eat and accessible public toilets in Stonehaven.

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Dunnottar Woods are on the south side of Stonehaven. You can walk to the woods from the town, using a number of entrances between Carron Gardens and Woodcot Brae: it’s a short, steep climb into the woods.

There is a car park at the south end of the forest off the A957 (a continuation of Dunnottar Avenue, if travelling from Stonehaven town). Turn onto the unclassified road just north of the junction with the A92 dual carriagway. The car park is 20m along the road on the right.

Using SatNav?

AB39 3XX is the nearest postcode, on the road called Dunnottar Church.

Get directions

Nearby forests

Hilltop view down upon a large forest and distant town

1
Scolty

Quiet woodland below a general’s monument

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Dunnottar Woods': 9.13 miles
Close up of conifer needles

2
Denlethen

Pleasant community woodland on the edge of Laurencekirk

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking icon
Parking
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Dunnottar Woods': 11.14 miles
A man walking down a path in a green jacket with trees and grass around.

3
Foggieton

Countesswells' smaller and quieter neighbour

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Distance from 'Dunnottar Woods': 11.78 miles

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Email
enquiries.east@forestryandland.gov.scot
Phone
0300 067 6380 (option 2)
More contact information

Find out more

Share your experience

Find a forest... View all forests