Stonehaven

New town, with amusement park and beach, dominates old town of fishermen's cottages by harbour. Local exhibits found in 16th-century Tolbooth Museum, where Episcopal clergymen were imprisoned in 1748. Panoramic view from war memorial on hill.

The two prime attractions at Stonehaven are
(1) its art deco olympic sized heated salt water swimming pool (www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk), the last of its kind in the UK.

(2) Dunnottar Castle, a magnificent clifftop fortress of great significance to Scotland's past, and used more recently for Mel Gibson's "Hamlet".