Editing Stonehaven (section)

==Commerce and culture==
[[File:Stonehavenharbour.jpg|thumb|300px|Stonehaven Harbour]]
Historically the chief commerce of Stonehaven lay in fishing. Led by the [[herring]] fishery, the catch peaked around the year 1894 with a peak catch of about 15 million fish per annum and employment in the fishing industry of 1280 people. Due to overfishing to serve the [[population|expanding regional population]], the fishing industry declined with diminishing catches, such that by 1939 only a remnant of the earlier fishing fleet continued to exist,<ref name="Watt" /> and the catch mostly supported the local population from that point onward. [[Glenury distillery]] was situated near Mineralwell park, and closed in 1985.

[[File:Bar_at_Marine_Hotel,_Stonehaven.jpg|thumb|300px|Bar At The Marine Hotel, Stonehaven Harbour]]
Currently, the town's primary industries are marine services and [[tourism]], with Dunnottar Castle, a local landmark, bringing in a large number of tourists every year. Dunnottar Castle is regularly used in promotional material by the Scottish tourism industry; in addition, it was used in the 1990 film ''[[Hamlet (1990 movie)|Hamlet]]'', and appeared as a featured desktop background in the UK edition of [[Windows 7|Microsoft Windows 7]]. 
Furthermore, Dunnottar Castle was also selected as Merida's home in the [[Disney]] movie, [[Brave (2012 film)|Brave]].
Situated nearby is [[Stonehaven War Memorial]], constructed after [[World War I]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stonehaven and Dunnottar - War Memorials Online|url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/136586|access-date=2021-01-27|website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk|language=en|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207223916/https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/136586|url-status=live}}</ref> It was unveiled by [[Annie Pearson, Viscountess Cowdray|Viscountess Cowdray]] in 1923.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stonehaven Royal British Legion launches appeal for pipers |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/stonehaven-royal-british-legion-launches-appeal-for-pipers-4054906 |website=Scotsman |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> It is visible from much of the town thanks to its prominent position on a hilltop overlooking the bay. Another attractive feature of the town is the long beach facing the [[North Sea]], with large cliffs at either end sheltering small rock pools and inlets. It is also famous for its [[Stonehaven Open Air Pool|Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool]], which is heated and filled with filtered seawater. The local harbour features the [[Stonehaven Tolbooth|Tolbooth]], the town's small museum of local heritage.

[[File:Stonehave fireballs 2003.jpg|thumb|Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony 2003|left|upright=0.8]]
During [[Hogmanay]] festivities, crowds watch the annual fireballs ceremony in which volunteers walk down the High Street swinging their fireball - a homemade ball of burning waste materials with a chain and handle attached. The Fireball Festival was part of the content of [[STV (TV network)|STV]]'s [[Hogmanay]] coverage. The fireballs are finally thrown into the harbour.<ref name="Stonehaven Fireball Association">{{Cite web |title=What is "The Fireballs Ceremony"? |url=http://www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk/about |access-date=23 December 2012 |publisher=Stonehaven Fireball Association |archive-date=29 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429153657/http://stonehavenfireballs.co.uk/about |url-status=live }}</ref> It is uncertain when the fireballs began, however, reports covering the event from as early as 1911 exist.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 January 1911|title=New Year's Day|work=Stonehaven Journal|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001271/19110105/066/0003|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> The event has taken place annually, though has been cancelled during the world wars and in 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 December 1945|title=Two Ancient Fire Festivals will Be Revived|work=[[The Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press & Journal]]|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19451213/058/0004|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=4 January 1917|title=New Year's Day in Town and County.|work=The Stonehaven Journal|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001271/19170104/057/0002|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-22|title=Stonehaven Fireballs festival cancelled due to Covid|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-54651952|access-date=2021-02-09|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216120205/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-54651952|url-status=live}}</ref> Stonehaven's long-established pipe band plays at events throughout the year, including the folks festival and fireball ceremony. The band has competed at various levels throughout its illustrious history including several years at the prestigious Grade 1.

Stonehaven also hosts a Folk Festival.

=== Cuisine ===
The town's Haven Fish Bar was the likely origin of the [[deep-fried Mars Bar]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2000 |title=French batter Mars bars menu |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/654750.stm |access-date=23 December 2012 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909235709/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/654750.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> a snack now culturally associated with Scotland - and its health record - as a whole. In 2012, the (since renamed) Carron [[fish and chip]] shop sold around 100–150 deep-fried Mars bars per week, with tourists accounting for around 70% of this figure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 September 2012 |title=Deep-fried Mars bars: A symbol of a nation's diet? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19463119 |access-date=23 December 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111210026/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19463119 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Carron was awarded No 1 Fish and Chip Shop in Scotland 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17907522.national-fish-chip-awards-scotlands-best-fish-chip-shop/|title=Revealed: Scotland's best fish and chip shop|access-date=1 March 2022|archive-date=1 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301130456/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17907522.national-fish-chip-awards-scotlands-best-fish-chip-shop/|url-status=live}}</ref> Another local fish and chip shop, the Bay, was awarded the number one fish and chip shop in Scotland, at the National fish and Chip awards in 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past winners {{!}} Finalists and winners {{!}} The National Fish and Chip Awards 2016 |url=http://www.fishandchipawards.com/finalists-and-winners/past-winners |access-date=2015-10-20 |website=www.fishandchipawards.com |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001030315/http://www.fishandchipawards.com/finalists-and-winners/past-winners |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sports and events===
Every July, Stonehaven holds a [[Highland Games]]. All those competing in the heavy events (which include the Hammer, the Heavy Stone, and [[Tossing the Caber]]) must wear full [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] dress. Other events include the Stonehaven Folk Festival, regularly attended by famous Glaswegian comedian [[Billy Connolly]]. On the first Saturday in June, the Feein' Market recreates a 19th-century agricultural hiring fair. The RW Thomson Classic Car Rally is an annual celebration of the inventor of the pneumatic tire and attracts an impressive range of vintage and classic cars. There are two harbour festivals each summer. A [[farmers' market]] is now held once a month in the market square, where local food suppliers and producers can sell fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry, and other types of meat.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-11|title=Farmer's Market under threat|url=https://www.stunningstonehaven.com/home/news/read/farmers-market-under-threat_507|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Stunning Stonehaven|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210071211/https://www.stunningstonehaven.com/home/news/read/farmers-market-under-threat_507}}</ref>

Stonehaven supports a rugby club - Mackie Academy Former Pupils Rugby Football Club - which plays in the RBS Caledonia Regional League Division 1. They have previously trained on pitches at [[Red Cloak]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gossip|first=Alastair|title=Owners hit back at claims north-east rugby club were evicted from training pitch with two weeks' notice|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/2054345/owners-hit-back-at-claims-north-east-rugby-club-were-evicted-from-training-pitch-with-two-weeks-notice/|access-date=2021-04-10|website=Press and Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410212315/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/2054345/owners-hit-back-at-claims-north-east-rugby-club-were-evicted-from-training-pitch-with-two-weeks-notice/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The town has a [[Scottish Junior Football Association|Junior]] football club - [[Stonehaven F.C.]] - that plays in the [[Scottish Junior Football Association, North Region|North Region]] [[Scottish Junior Football North Premier League]]. Home games are played at Glenury Park, set in Mineralwell Park. There are also three amateur football clubs: AC Mill Inn, Cowie Thistle and Stonehaven Athletic, as well as Stonehaven Youth Football Club, who all play their games in Mineralwell Park. In 2015, a combination of Stonehaven Football Club, Cowie Thistle, Stonehaven Athletic, Stonehaven Youth Football Club and Stonehaven Ladies Football Club created the Stonehaven Community Football Club, which was recognised by the Scottish Football Association with a Quality Mark Community Level Award, and subsequently the Legacy Award in November 2017.

===Local radio===
The Local Community Radio Station ''[[Mearns FM]]'' broadcasts to the town and surrounding area, including [[Inverbervie]] and [[Laurencekirk]]. Staffed completely by volunteers, it is run as a not-for-profit organisation, broadcasting under a community radio license, with a remit to provide locally focused news, events, and programming. Jointly funded by local adverts and local and national grants, ''Mearns FM'' has one of the largest listening areas of any community radio station owing to the Mearns' distributed population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gary Cruden |date=6 June 2009 |title=Community radio station set to go live |url=http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1250858?UserKey= |access-date=23 December 2012 |publisher=The Press and Journal |archive-date=6 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306040205/http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1250858?UserKey= |url-status=live }}</ref>