Coach Parking Proposals for Stonehaven

What you told us

Over the past few years there has been a steady increase in the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle and Stonehaven town centre. Dunnottar Castle attracts around 120,000 visitors a year and this is expected to increase due to the cruise ships now docking in Aberdeen Harbour. If there is inadequate provision for coaches to drop off passengers in the town centre and park up nearby then they will simply go elsewhere, depriving the many businesses and attractions from potential income.

Through engagement with tour operators, we established that up to 9 coaches could visit Stonehaven in any one day. These coaches were spread across the day and did not all arrive at one time. Some coaches were bringing visitors from the cruise ships whilst others were tour operators from across the UK and abroad.

In 2025 a location plan was circulated to all known tour operators highlighting suitable locations outwith the town centre where they could park whilst waiting to collect their passengers.This included the bus bay at Mackie Academy during weekends and school holidays. However, these were not favoured by the coach drivers as they were considered to be too far away from facilities and amenities allowing the drivers to take a break and grab something to eat and drink before returning to collect their passengers.

Coaches have been reportedly parking in inappropriate locations such as junctions and parking at the bus interchange on Barclay Street impacting on the regular bus services. They are also regularly parking on the harbour piers coming into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians. The route along the Old Pier towards the Backies car park is not suitable for large vehicles given the large numbers of pedestrians in that location all year round. The situation prompted a need to identify a suitable location(s) where coaches could park but still be close to amenities and somewhere to safely drop off and pick up passengers. Mill Lade Road is designated as an off street car park, therefore lends itself to providing bus bays since there is no provision within any of the other Council car parks in Stonehaven.

The purpose of the survey was to seek the views of the community at an early stage on proposals to create bus bays on the road behind Baird Park, as this area has been used in the past for visiting coaches attending community events. Direct contact was also made with the Quoitors Club, Allotment Users, Football clubs and nearby residents to ensure they were aware of the proposal.

Locations previously considered by the Council:

Leisure Centre car park – to allow coaches to manoeuvre around the car park and provide parking spaces would require the entire car park to be redesigned with the loss of a substantial number of car parking spaces. The Leisure Centre car park has been provided for users of the nearby leisure facilities. Therefore, reducing the number of car parking spaces would negatively impact regular users of the leisure facilities.

Beach Road – there is currently a weight limit of 7.5 tons on this road which prohibits large vehicles including coaches. There are inadequate turning facilities for large vehicles and during busy periods with vehicles parked close to junctions it would result in difficulties for coaches to turn safely.

B979 Road in front of Bowling Club – Additional bus bays in this location would create visibility issues for vehicles exiting Beach Road and the Bowling Club. Coach operators are not allowed to stop on bus stops provided for service buses. There is the additional safety risk for vehicles having to overtake several coaches parked on this stretch of road coming into conflict with vehicles coming in the other direction.

Opening out Mill Lade Road to make it one-way – Removal of the flower bed and allowing coaches to depart from this end was considered. However, this could not be achieved safely without impacting on the new road crossing, bus stops and vehicles exiting from the Bowling Club. Coach operators have also indicated that it is not possible to make a complete turn at the small roundabout at the Leisure Centre and buses have to reverse on the roundabout creating safety concerns.

What you told us

The survey generated 146 responses with the majority of people living in Stonehaven and those outwith travelling to Stonehaven for work or leisure/recreation reasons. Of the 142 responses received 82 supported the proposals whereas 65 were against it. Some were concerned at the loss of parking spaces, although this would have been overcome by allowing vehicles to park along one side of Baird Park from April to October, as has been in operation for the last couple of years.

However, there were a number of safety concerns over the mix of activities in the park which would put pedestrians into conflict with vehicles turning. Concerns were also raised over the loss of the area for parking and potential impacts for allotment users. A number of responses preferred that the coaches were parked on the outskirts of the town.

The following locations were suggested as alternatives by members of the public:

Old gas works site – this is privately owned and has planning permission for a housing development. The access roads leading to this site are unsuitable for coaches.

Stagecoach yard – this is privately owned and future plans for the site are unknown.

Near Dunnottar Castle – Due to the number of coach tours visiting Dunnottar Castle they have had to stagger coach arrivals to manage the parking situation. The area is also busy with motorhomes and cars from people simply enjoying the coastal walk. Vehicles are parking on the verges which is causing damage and would be made worse by heavy coaches. Many of the coaches dropping passengers off in the town centre have come from Dunnottar Castle and is considered too far for coach drivers to access suitable amenities.

Land next to Fetteresso Cemetery – to provide coach parking at this location would require significant investment and time to develop. Coach drivers have indicated that they require somewhere central so that they can purchase refreshments whilst on their break. Therefore, any out-of-town coach parking facility would also require to have toilet and refreshment facilities. Such a facility would have to be taken forward by a private developer as this is not a function of the local authority.

Grass area next to Swimming Pool – This area has already been included in plans for the formal pedestrianisation of the Promenade providing additional car parking spaces to offset the loss of spaces opposite the businesses. The new car park spaces will also prevent vehicles parking on both sides of this stretch of road ensuring there is a two-way traffic flow into the caravan site and Cowie village for emergency vehicles.

Creating a bus park within the Recreation Grounds – this land is privately owned by the Recreation Grounds Trust and not Aberdeenshire Council. The caravan park provides a regular income from stance fees which helps to maintain the wider site.

Cowie layby – This site was considered as a potential alternative to Baird Park but is slightly further out of town for coach drivers who may only have a short stop. However, it is worth considering further.

What we’re doing

Therefore, taking all of the feedback into account the Council has decided not to proceed with the proposal at Baird Park and will look at other locations including the Cowie layby. Further consultation will take place on this location after an initial mapping exercise has been undertaken to confirm whether this location could be made suitable for coaches.

You can view the original project here: Coach Parking Proposals for Stonehaven | Engage Aberdeenshire