A proposed visitor centre at Dunnottar Castle has been rejected due to concerns over housing plans that were deemed excessive by local councillors
Dunecht Estates, the castle’s owners, had been working on this project since 2012. They wanted to create a modern centre with a café, souvenir shop, and more. It would have been a great spot for visitors to enjoy the views and learn about the castle’s history.
But here’s the catch: to make the centre financially viable, they proposed building ten houses nearby. While the council liked the idea of the visitor centre, they weren’t on board with the housing plan.
They raised concerns about safety, especially for kids trying to get to school. The existing paths just weren’t safe enough, and they didn’t want children crossing busy roads.
During a recent meeting, Stuart Young from Dunecht Estates argued that the centre would boost tourism and benefit the local economy. He mentioned that Dunnottar Castle attracted over 120,000 visitors last year, and that number could triple with the new centre.
However, some councillors worried that the centre might actually hurt Stonehaven’s economy. They feared visitors would spend less time in town if they had everything they needed at the castle.
Despite the push for the centre, the council ultimately voted against it, with nine votes to three. It seems like the dream of a new visitor centre at Dunnottar Castle will have to wait a bit longer.
