Dunnottar Woods

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Where we are

About

A brick wall in a forest with a wooden rail

A woman in a yellow jacket looks down on a stone structure in a narrow river at Dunnottar Woods

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.

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

Ancient monument

Picnic area

Walking

Parking (charge)

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

Car parking information

The charges to park at this forest car park are:

£1 for up to 1 hour - all vehicles
£2 for up to 3 hours - car (up to 7 seats)
£3 for all day - car (up to 7 seats)
£10 for all day - coach and minibus
Blue badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

Payment can be made using RingGo.

Please park with care and consideration. In particular, please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our Forest Search, marked as a 'P' without the £ symbol.

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions (PDF) before applying.

Moray and Aberdeenshire Car Park Pass - £50 per car and £120 per mini-bus or coach

Valid at Roseisle, Culbin, Winding Walks, Back o'Bennachie, Bennachie Centre, Countesswells, Foggieton, Scolty, Cambus o’ May, Torrieston, Dunnottar Woods, Quarry Wood (Leggat)

Moray and Aberdeenshire Pass application form

FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach

Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.

FLS National Pass application form

More parking info

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 carriageway. The car park is 20m along the road on the right.