Spotlight on Stonehaven Heritage Society

We take a look at the activities and projects of Stonehaven Heritage Society. Find out more about the history of Stonehaven in our Hidden Histories podcast.

Founded in 1987 with the intention of preserving the history and heritage of the County Town of Kincardineshier and surrounding area, Stonehaven Heritage Society is one of the largest such societies in the north east of Scotland, with almost 250 members in the UK and overseas.

The history of the town is closely connected to Dunnottar Castle (which lies one mile to the south) from where the Honours of Scotland were smuggled out and hidden to keep them from Cromwell’s forces in 1651. Famous sons of the town include Robert W Thomson, inventor of the pneumatic tyre, and John Reith, first director general of the BBC.

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Members stay in touch through the quarterly newsletter Stanehyve and also meet regularly for illustrated talks and photo exhibitions. The group’s website has details of the various books the society has published over the years, which include volumes on old photographs, early settlers in the area, and local historic sites. The Society engages in local projects, the most recent being the renovation of the barometer on the eighteenth-century steeple close to the harbour.

Membership is £10 per year UK/ £20 overseas and members receive the newsletter, are entitled to attend society meetings and can access the group’s online photo archive. For more information, visit the website or write to: Gordon Ritchie, Honorary Secretary, Connons, 50 Allardice Street, Stonehaven AB39 2RA.

(Image copyright Tuck DB Postcards)