The beloved Stonehaven tour train – The Stoney Express – returned in a colourful celebration today after being out of action for more than six years Under the sound of pipes – and the occasional toot toot – the vehicle welcomed all ages aboard with dozens more lining up to see the distinctive blue land locomotive it was put out of action in 2019 and remained hidden in a storage unit in the years that followed And after three years of efforts to bring it back volunteers today had tears in their eyes as they witnessed The Stoney Express tooting along the town streets once again Crowds of smiling faces gathered along the streets to wave it on as it embarked on its fifth journey of the day around Stonehaven the train took happy travellers around the town before stopping at the harbour allowing passengers to take in the breathtaking views The experience was made all the more special with the sounds of the Dunnottar Pipes and Drums band which played from the back of the train throughout the journey Our photographer Darrell Benns was there to capture the monumental day Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments A Stonehaven paedophile has avoided jail after exposing himself to what he thought was a nine-year-old girl Glen Wilson was snared online by two decoys posing as nine and 13-year-old children struck up sexual chats with the ‘children’ from his Mary Street address between March 2020 and July 2023 Appearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing he was placed under a Sexual Harm Protection Order for five years and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work Fiscal depute Callum Gordon told the court Wilson had contacted one of the ‘children’ on a chat group The decoy told Wilson she was called Emma and aged 13 “A conversation began between the two which quickly turned sexual,” Mr Gordon explained “The accused also sent an image of himself.” The chats continued for a week and moved onto WhatsApp and Skype with Wilson showing ‘Emma’ videos of his home Mr Gordon continued: “Throughout the conversations and comment he was playing with himself.” The decoy sent all the videos and copies of messages to the police police found devices which uncovered a conversation between Wilson and another person The court was told Wilson had sent two indecent images of children on June 21 2023 and a conversation with a person identifying themselves as “Anna Dancer” was also recovered “Anna” identified herself as a nine-year-old and the their conversations were of a sexual nature Wilson also sent her two images of his penis More analysis of Wilson’s phones found he had 33 minutes of indecent videos Wilson’s defence solicitor Mike Munro said his client was a first offender He said: “It is impossible to say anything in mitigation to these offences per say “He was having a conversation with someone he believed to be nine and 13 we now know they were not children but adult vigilante personas.” Mr Munro asked for a community-based disposal adding: “The one thing he needs is something to do with his time.” Sheriff Lesley Johnston said in her view the offences had “easily met” the threshold for custody but instead said she would impose a programme-based sentence to prevent future offending She said: “As a direct alternative to custody I am putting you on an intensive program for rehabilitation “You will carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and have a program requirement to undertake the Moving Forward to Change programme – so that you do not offend in the future.” Wilson was also placed under supervision for three years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Protection Order for five years He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years and banned from having unavoidable contact with anyone under the age of 13 It's good to be running again at Stonehaven Parkrun Last time I ran at Stonehaven Parkrun was last June I was volunteering at the St Cyrus Solos takeover week I would do the course but decided to just volunteer instead Here is Alistair doing the First Timers' briefing: 47 brave parkrunners battled the cold - 8 first timers at Stonehaven Parkrun including Archie Shepherd (myself) who got Stonehaven's 3000th Parkrun PB We only got one milestone this weekend; Andrea Watt completed her 10-year anniversary with Parkrun Andrea has completed 158 Parkruns: Stonehaven (118) Event Day course check & Finish token (2) We would like to say thank you to our amazing volunteers We would like to say thank you to Jim ADDISON Caroline Hughes will be your next RD on 12th April A7482626 (pictures below of me and my finish token!) © parkrun Limited (Company Number: 07289574) No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner Three people were killed in the incident during bad weather near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, in August 2020. Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died in the derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on August 12, 2020. A criminal prosecution saw Network Rail fined £6.7 million in 2023 after it admitted health and safety failings over the crash, which happened on a day of torrential rainfall. At a preliminary hearing held virtually from Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday, Alex Prentice KC, representing the Crown, said it would be a “large and complex” fatal accident inquiry (FAI). During a previous preliminary hearing in January, the lawyer suggested the FAI could last around 12 weeks, but on Wednesday, he said it could take less time. He said: “It is very difficult to at this stage identify the duration of the hearing, but we think about eight to nine weeks.” Mr Prentice said that at a previous hearing, Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle made it clear the views of bereaved relatives and the passengers were important when deciding how the FAI should be held, be it virtually or in person. He said there appears to be no strong united view on the matter. The lawyer told the hearing: “I suggest it might be better that further thought is given to that so that a final decision can be made at the next hearing. “From the Crown’s point of view I think a hybrid model might be the best, with some evidence taken remotely and some evidence taken in person and statements and other matters would be referred to.” Participants in the inquiry include the RMT and Aslef unions, ScotRail, the Office of Rail and Road, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), Network Rail Infrastructure, British Transport Police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The inquiry heard on Wednesday that the Scottish Ambulance Service will also participate. A date for the FAI has not yet been fixed, however, Sheriff Lesley Johnston on Wednesday asked participants to provide dates of their availability for the inquiry over the next 18 months to help with planning. A further preliminary hearing will take place on June 23. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame. The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and establishing what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. At the High Court in Aberdeen in September 2023, Network Rail admitted a series of failings that resulted in the deaths, pleading guilty to a charge covering the period from May 1 2011 to August 12 2020. This included failing to inform the driver that it was unsafe to drive the train at 75mph, or caution him to reduce his speed amid bad weather on the day of the derailment, which also left six people injured. An RAIB report published in March 2022 found errors in the construction of a drainage system installed by Carillion meant it was unable to cope with heavy rain which fell in the area on the morning of the crash. Carillion went into compulsory liquidation in January 2018. The RAIB report made 20 recommendations to improve railway safety, many of which were directed at Network Rail. Network Rail previously said it is determined to build on the “significant changes” it has made since the incident, which have “helped us to manage the risk of severe weather to the network”, and it has invested millions to improve the resilience of the railway. STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" We’re here to support you with our services Download and order a range of resources to help you manage your condition. Read the inspiring stories of the amazing people who are living life to the full with a long-term health condition. confidential advice and support from our Advice Line practitioners Advice Line Every day people in Scotland are leaving hospital feeling scared and alone Join Scotland’s Fundraising Heroes by getting involved with one of our exciting events or challenges! Use our Store Finder to find your local shop or boutique and pop in to see us today. You can make sure stroke survivors in Scotland like Tim get the support they need after returning home from hospital We are Scotland’s largest health charity working to help people with chest heart and stroke conditions live life to the full Find out about the incredible impact your support is having and the amazing things you’re helping to achieve. Search our current job opportunities to find a new role that’s rewarding exciting and allows you to make a real difference every day Work With Us Arlene Hutchinson lost her beloved husband Mark after he had two strokes within a few days in August of last year Arlene has thrown herself into fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland And on Saturday 22nd of March she will take herself out of her comfort zone to tackle the Kelpies Experience – a one-of-a-kind aerial adventure that sees participants traverse a maze of ladders and cable crossings inside the Kelpies sculptures then descend via a free-hanging abseil or a Quick Flight rope drop a marketing manager for a global technology company said: “Mark suffered a stroke out of the blue at home and was rushed to hospital “They gave him a drug to dissolve the brain clot and he was quite comfortable But he then had a second stroke 24 hours later It was a rare basilar artery stroke which did huge damage to the brain At the turn of the year Arlene looked at ways she could fundraise and help others who had survived stroke and found Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland It led to her signing up for the Kelpies Experience a one-of-a-kind aerial adventure in Falkirk The 50-year-old said: “I wanted to fundraise for a charity that supported people who like Mark had experienced stroke “I found CHSS and was drawn to the Kelpies Experience It looked like a challenge and it will definitely take me out of my comfort zone “I’ve read the stories on CHSS’ website I’ve had support from the CHSS fundraising team I’ve read up about the services and I want to help people that have been affected by these conditions I know people can survive stroke but unfortunately be left with challenging disabilities from mild to severe I want to support people who have survived stroke and I think fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is a great  way to do that “We’ve had a huge amount of support and really appreciate it Arlene and her friends held a fundraising quiz and lunch in Stonehaven which also raised money taking the total raised since Mark’s death to £10,000 said: “We are so grateful to Arlene for fundraising for CHSS and taking on this challenge on our behalf “Arlene has become a fundraising powerhouse for CHSS since Mark’s death and we wish her “The money raised will help us to support the 1 in 5 people in Scotland living with our conditions to live their lives to the full and ensure they have the right support To donate to Arlene’s fundraiser please go to Arlene Hutchinson is fundraising for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Your donation can help people do more than just survive – you can help them really live © Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 2025 Telephone: 0131 225 6963 General enquiries [email protected] Media enquiries [email protected] This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page We combine legal expertise with sector understanding and insight into the transformational trends impacting businesses today – and tomorrow Timely updates and industry-leading Insights – ensuring you receive content you need to help you drive your business forward What's on the horizon for Digital Regulation by evolving flexible and imaginative approaches to everyone's work - and life - needs International legal practice Osborne Clarke has advised the shareholders of policy and opinion research consultancy Public First on its acquisition by Stonehaven Global Holdings The acquisition creates a leading team of 150 consultants working across opinion research “Thank you to Chris and the team at Osborne Clarke for all their work getting this over the line Their experience and calm was invaluable.” Osborne Clarke’s corporate team is a go-to practice for companies in the strategic communications Its clients range from global businesses to fast-growth start-ups and market challengers The team advises at every stage of company development across all corporate issues from equity and debt fundraisings to M&A Our legal experts are available to provide comment or background on international legal issues for your publication Stonehaven Leisure Centre reopened its doors on Monday following an extensive £1.4million refurbishment Visitors are invited to explore the newly updated facilities at the centre a refurbished poolside and changing village equipment with a fully accessible “changing places” changing space.  The gym is kitted out with the latest fitness equipment from Pulse Fitness and Ingido Fitness and a full-time instructor the Fitness Studio offers over 30 group exercise classes per week of new classes suited to all fitness levels and interests with the floor given a new lease of life from sand and re-seal and is ready for the returning clubs to use The refurbishment also includes upgraded changing areas and a PAMIS changing places facility which provides accessible changing facilities for individuals with special needs and disabilities The £1.4 million refurbishment follows a participatory budgeting exercise reflecting the strong support from the local community chair of the council’s Communities Committee said: “The investment in Stonehaven Leisure Centre has been a collaborative effort driven by community feedback The upgraded facilities and new programmes will offer valuable opportunities for everyone to engage in physical activity and enhance their well-being We’re proud to deliver a project that aligns with the needs and aspirations of our local community." Head of Service of Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Wellbeing & Partnership said: "It’s heartening to witness Stonehaven Leisure Centre transformed into such a modern and inclusive facility The new amenities and upgraded spaces will cater to all fitness levels and interests establishing it as a hub for both personal health and community activities This project demonstrates our commitment to enhancing local services and meeting community needs." The centre is open weekdays from 7am through to 8pm and 9am-3pm at the weekend.  The indoor swimming pool will reopen from August 19 with access for Learn to Swim classes and swimming clubs being able to utilise the pool The centre will have new opening hours from September 2 with weekday openings from 6.30am through to 9pm This will also see the full reopening of the indoor swimming pool for all visitors as the Stonehaven Open Air Lido season comes to a close plans to trial cold-water swimming in the lido New health services are also running at the centre including a free 12-week exercise referral programme for overall health improvement and a free 12-week counterweight programme to promote healthy habits and active lifestyles For more information or to join the new programmes, visit www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk or speak with staff at reception A Young Farmers’ event in Stonehaven has raised funds for Breast Cancer Now while also helping to grow awareness of the charity The Ladies’ Day “touch of pink” gathering was organised by Aberdeen and Kincardine District Young Farmers A similar event last year raised £1,500 for agricultural charity RSABI They’re still counting the total from yesterday’s fundraiser Hopes are high it could be even more than last year Attendees enjoyed glasses of Prosecco on their arrival with Eilidh Davidson Catering providing afternoon teas DJ Jasper kept the dancing going until late in the evening Young Farmers‘ club secretary Elspeth Walker said: “It’s been a pleasure to be part of a committee that has come together to organise this event Everyone has worked so hard to put everything together “We are very lucky to have received so much support for our raffle Generous local and farming businesses donated amazing prizes “This is such an important cause to raise money and awareness for. Breast cancer is something many people have either been affected by themselves or know someone who has.” was at the Stonehaven Town Hall event to capture the spirit of the occasion Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments A suspended Stonehaven church minister consumed cocaine before being caught drug-driving in the city centre of Aberdeen a self-proclaimed “transformed” ex-addict was caught over the limit on George Street on September 28 last year The father-of-three was nearly four times the legal limit for Benzoylecgonine It can be detected in the bloodstream for up to 48 hours after the liver breaks down the Class A drug into the chemical compound was on bail after being charged in connection with a drugs raid on his then-home Police officers stormed the Church of Scotland-owned building on July 16 and discovered £1,500 of cocaine. those charges against Lowey have since been dropped the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has confirmed who was also arrested in the South Lodge Drive property Officers forced their way through the front door with a battering ram around 8am on the day of the raid was no longer living with his family because they had moved out prior to the commotion The Church of Scotland suspended him from preaching on July 18 the day after he appeared from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court Lowey was accused of committing three road traffic offences related to the drug-driving incident The prosecutor accepted Lowey’s not guilty plea to a charge alleging he was caught driving without a valid MOT certificate he was convicted of the drug-driving charge which stated he exceeded the 50mcg legal limit by recording a reading of 194mcg for Benzoylecgonine per litre of blood whose address was given as a council-run homeless unit on West North Street in Aberdeen was also found guilty of driving a grey Volkswagen in such a bad state that it posed “a danger of injury to any person” Court papers said his front bumper was damaged on the offside area “with jagged edges exposed” both on the bumper and from the front offside wing Both front tyres and the rear offside tyre “were defective with cords being visible,” the charge sheet added Lowey was sentenced for the September 2024 incident by Sheriff Mark Stewart at Aberdeen Sheriff Court He banned Lowey from driving for 12 months for the drug-driving offence Lowey was admonished and dismissed on the second charge meaning he avoided being punished for the offence with a warning not to do it again The Press and Journal can also now reveal that the drug-driving trial amounted to the controversial clergyman’s third criminal conviction that year while signed off work on long-term sick leave he refused to allow police in Dundee to test his breath to confirm whether he had been drink-driving on Kinnoull Street He was also accused of driving the grey VW dangerously on the A85 and failing to co-operate with a preliminary roadside breathalyser test for alcohol Lowey contacted a reporter at The P&J and protested his innocence “I didn’t refuse,” he told our reporter adding: “I asked the police to deal with a situation where a woman was screaming like a banshee for 20 minutes out of a flat window “She could have been getting tortured and they asked me to do a breathalyser test.” but I think you should deal with that lady first I discovered that the block of flats the lady was screaming out of was notorious for drug dealers and drug addicts “And I’ve discovered over the years that police don’t pay that much attention to drug addicts and drug dealers.” He also told this newspaper that he had not expected special treatment from the police “I never told them I was a minister with the Church of Scotland because in the past I have garnered favour which I shouldn’t get,” Lowey said adding: “I should be treated as everybody else.” During a hearing at Perth Sheriff Court earlier this year Lowey finally admitted to the charge that he “did without reasonable excuse”  fail to provide two specimens of breath for analysis The offence happened at the Divisional Police Headquarters on West Bell Street in Dundee The run-in with the police earned Lowey a criminal conviction his guilty plea was rewarded with a discounted sentence and disqualified him from holding and obtaining a driving licence for 22 months He was acquitted of two charges when the COPFS accepted his not guilty pleas One of those charges had alleged that on the A85 Lowey did “dangerously drive too close to the vehicle in front attempt to overtake vehicles when it was not safe to do so into the path of oncoming traffic” It stated a pick-up driver was forced to take “evasive action to avoid a collision” and added Lowey did “repeatedly veer over the centre line of the road repeatedly mount the grass verge and drive erratically speeding up and slowing down when it was not necessary to do so.” The other charge that was dropped stated that Lowey “did without reasonable excuse fail to co-operate with a preliminary test” at the roadside when “reasonably suspected” of driving “while having alcohol or a drug” in his body or “being under the influence of a drug.” Lowey is no longer authorised to perform as a church minister as his registration status is inactive A Church of Scotland spokeswoman said: “We note the outcome of recent court cases in relation to Rev Mark Lowey formerly the minister at Fetteresso Church in Stonehaven “He has been off long-term sick and is now suspended from the functions of ministry pending disciplinary proceedings “As such we are not in a position to comment further at this time.” relocated from the central belt to the north-east with his family He was inducted to the charge of Stonehaven Fetteresso Church on January 14 2021 having previously served East Kilbride South Parish Church In July 2012, he spoke to the Daily Record newspaper about taking on the position more than 20 years after being jailed for conspiracy to rob a shop Lowey was locked up in Scotland’s largest prison in his 20s where he became hooked on heroin for four years He told the newspaper his life had finally hit “rock bottom” after using cannabis and ecstasy throughout the years as a petty teenage criminal who also spent time in young offenders institutions he added: “God came into my life and totally transformed it” Lowey was appointed director of a registered charity called Teen Challenge Strathclyde “challenging addiction and offering hope to the vulnerable and socially marginalised” through outreach work The charity’s website explained: “The organisation is based on Christian values and beliefs providing a positive answer to the current addiction problem.” Lowey resigned from his position at the central belt organisation on July 18 2023 For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group A supermarket in Stonehaven was forced to open hours later than scheduled today due to flooding in the store The Co-op on David Street,was closed to customers until about midday five hours after its usual opening time of 7am An employee of the town centre store confirmed the store was shut due to flooding issues although there was “no danger of catastrophe” “It was just a small flood in the shop and we had to make sure we did the right thing by the customers,” they said Although the north-east has been experiencing warm and sunny weather over the past couple of weeks, there was some rain in Stonehaven this morning the Co-op confirmed the closure was to “address a plumbing issue” within the store Tributes have been paid to a local hero and former Aberdeenshire teacher following his death at the age of 75 The legacy of Douglas Samways lives on in the pupils he taught and in the Stonehaven community where he was a friend to many and a “pioneering stalwart” and was described by his family as a devoted father and granda After a short illness, he died peacefully at home on April 10 loving father and devoted granda,” his daughter conscientious and fastidious in his approach to all tasks “He had a vast general knowledge and enjoyed keeping up with politics and current affairs “He loved discussing world affairs with his grandson and they both relished the opportunity for a healthy debate.” Many people across Aberdeenshire will remember Mr Samways from their school days He helped many pupils achieve their goals through his role as a “dedicated and skilled” English teacher at schools including Westhill and Kemnay he was the deputy rector at Inverurie Academy where he made a “lasting impact” on pupils Even after his official retirement in 2010 Mr Samways continued teaching by tutoring and undertaking supply work Inverurie Academy headteacher Neil Hendry said: “The school community at Inverurie Academy remember Douglas Samways with deep fondness “He was a dedicated and compassionate teacher who always strived to ensure the very best outcomes for every young person he worked with he made a lasting impact not only on his pupils and colleagues “His legacy lives on in the pupils he taught and the difference he made every single day.” His daughter, Sarah, added: “He was passionate about the Scots’ language and heritage, with a particular fondness for the works of Burns and Grassic Gibbon “He never tired of sharing his interest and knowledge as he recognised harnessing and fostering their interest as being the best way to secure our language and traditions for future generations “One of my daughter’s fondest memories is of her granda helping her to practice a Scots poem to celebrate Robert Burns “He was always patient and encouraging and proud of the achievements of both his grandchildren.” Mr Samways was an active and dedicated member of the Stonehaven community – playing a fundamental role in a number of local projects Sarah said: “Dad achieved much success in all of the community groups he was involved in including the Stonehaven Town Partnership (STP) He first joined STP as a representative of the Burns Club in September 2011 and was elected chairman just four months later lay the foundations for the purchase of the former courthouse and establish the all-weather pitch at Mineralwell Park said Mr Samways was a “textbook chairman” who always led by example He continued: “Doug would never seek public acclaim preferring to work quietly in the background “He was polite no matter what opinion was expressed from the floor managed to keep all meetings within acceptable time limits “STP wish to acknowledge the immense work undertaken by Doug and send their condolences to his family.” “I believe that part of the reason he was so successful was that he possessed a unique ability to think all around a problem and see things from multiple points of view not just his own,” Sarah said about her dad “He listened to the ideas and opinions of everyone regardless of whether he was in agreement or not “Dad didn’t do anything for personal recognition he was motivated by the desire to improve things for others and to give something back “Some people have said that every town needs a Douglas Samways That every town would be lucky to have someone like him It’s the calm gentleness of her voice and the wisdom beyond her years that tells you Grace Campbell is something special Grace has already had more than her fair share of loss and ill health to overcome but she carries on her mission of helping others feel better about themselves She volunteers weekly in her old Brownie unit in Stonehaven and fundraises regularly for Cardiomyopathy UK in memory of her late father meaning she can’t eat anything with wheat and other grains in it Grace joined 3rd Stonehaven Brownies when she was seven So much so that by the time it came to moving up to Guides Grace did one year there and then returned to volunteer with her beloved Brownies She’s there every week and accompanies the unit on camps and other outdoor activities She says being a Brownie helped her overcome anxiety and grown in confidence and this is something she wants to give to other little girls that I just wanted to do the same for other little girls.” She pays particular tribute to the inspirational leaders of her unit Fiona Campbell and her daughters Emma and Sophie Grace said: “They were always so lovely and created a safe environment where you could be yourself.” who’s always struggled with the overwhelming aspects of school She said: “I struggled with school as I’ve always been very anxious  Although I enjoy learning and feeding my brain Grace found a pathway to overcoming that anxiety a comforting shelter when life suddenly became very difficult in December 2022 secretary and former captain of Stonehaven Athletic died suddenly aged 46 while out running near Mackie Academy He had the heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Grace said: “Losing him made me see how everyone needs someone that they can go to at times like this and children need safe adults that they can go to just knowing it’s there can provide a lot of comfort.” Grace has now completed her young leader qualification through various online modules and brings her experience of loss in a quiet way to her interaction with the young Brownies she volunteers with you need to take what comes because you never really know what’s going to happen “I want Brownies to be able to speak to me and other leaders about their feelings.” The chronic auto-immune condition means your immune system attacks your tissues when you eat gluten The result is a debilitating range of unpleasant symptoms for sufferers unless gluten is excluded from their diet Grace said: “My older sister Amy had already been diagnosed with it so when I started to get ill I knew celiac was genetic and it could be a possibility “I was quite fortunate that it didn’t get too bad before I managed to find out.” She said: “My Brownie unit are aways very inclusive and made sure that I’m not held back from any opportunity because of celiac they always make sure there’s options for me “You just have to think a little more about your plans and what you’re doing She adds: “There are lots of gluten free options you just have to find the once that don’t taste horrible!” Over the past two years, Grace has organised fund-raising events for Cardiomyopathy UK in memory of her dad With the help of the local Lions Club she’s so far organised two fun days at the Scout hut in Stonehaven and is planning another one this year She uses also events like Stonehaven’s Feein’ Market to run a stall raising awareness of cardiomyopathy and signpost sufferers to resources out there which can help them she makes sure the charity has a presence at school fairs also ensuring that there were plenty of leaflets about the heart condition for people to take away With the end of her school days not too far in the distance it’s hardly surprising that Grace is considering a career in child psychology “I find little brains very interesting,” she said Grace is the recipient of a Hannah Dyson Award this year given by Stonehaven and District community council to young people under 18 who have shown outstanding merit in an area of their life Her nomination letter reads: “Grace is an inspiration to us all we are so lucky to have Grace volunteering with us and it has been a pleasure to see her develop into a competent The Station Hotel in Stonehaven has been put up for sale The hotel is located next to the town’s railway station and serves up hearty pub grub to locals and visitors Stonehaven is a popular tourist destination in the north-east and is famous for its Hogmanay Fireballs ceremony which attracts large crowds to the coastal town the hotel has been well-maintained over the decades with white exterior walls and clear signage The Station Hotel features: The property advert makes clear the business is doing well describing the hotel as “extremely profitable” Sellers say that the accounts in the 12 months to February 2024 showed a turnover of £1.4 million All bedrooms were refurbished during lockdown and incorporate iconic Scottish elements such as tartan The large function room can be used for events such as weddings and party nights with a dance floor in the centre of the room and a stage The hotel is rated highly on TripAdvisor with an average rating of 4.6 and more than 250 “excellent” reviews The sellers say the hotel would be well suited to an owner operator or as a family business The Station Hotel is being sold by Christie & Co, with a guide price of £1.35 million. The Queen’s Hotel in Stonehaven will reopen after a new tenant stepped forward to take over the business has taken over the reins at the north-east venue just weeks after it closed We reported last week that the hotel would remain closed indefinitely while owners Greene King hunted for a new operator Now, Prakash has revealed to The Press and Journal that he hopes to have the Queen’s open next Friday A former business management student at Robert Gordon University he has worked for and run several Aberdeenshire food and drink venues in the past Recently taking over the Burnett Arms in his local Kemnay six months ago he says running his second hotel in Stonehaven will “be a challenge” but worth it said: “We are very excited to open up in Stonehaven “Me and my team have extensive experience of running pubs from our time in The Burnett Arms in Kemnay “We have had success running that so far “When the opportunity came up to run the Queens Hotel we jumped at the chance “We are really hoping that we can make things better within the hotel “We know a lot of people over the last wee while have been trying to stay at the hotel and wanting to be served but of course that’s not been possible recently we are hoping to put that right and overcome those struggles We just want to make our local customers happy.” Prakash also made a bold claim regarding the pub’s reopening that the newly managed Queen’s Hotel will serve the “best pint” in Stonehaven we want to also be the best beer in Stonehaven Joining the hotel on an initial six-month lease Prakash added that not too many changes are planned in the short term to the Queen’s while the team settles in “We are focusing on giving our customers good quality drinks and food,” he said “We want to keep the local people happy here and are having a good time.” Prakash also said the Queen’s Hotel is looking to add experience bar and restaurant staff to the team JG Ross have announced their Stonehaven bakery will close its doors later this week The Barclay Street shop will have its final day on Friday This comes as the company rolls out a “major refurbishment programme” across their shops JG Ross said the Stonehaven store does not meet the space requirements for their updated design and operational standards despite their ‘best efforts’ so far they have yet to find suitable alternative premises in the town In a post to social media, the company said they would continue to look out for a new unit. JG Ross said: “Despite our best efforts we’ve not yet found a suitable alternative location in Stonehaven we’ve made the difficult decision to close the shop with the final day of trading being Friday The baker has appealed for help from residents to find their next home “We remain committed to serving Stonehaven and would love to return in the right location,” the business said “If you know of premises that could be a good fit for us “A big thank you to our amazing Stonehaven team and to all of our customers for your support Emergency services were called to Market Square in Stonehaven at around 8.15pm on Saturday. Emergency services were called to Market Square at around 8.15pm on Saturday after reports of an 18-year-old being seriously assaulted. A 17-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and enquiries remain ongoing. He is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday. A police spokesperson said: Around 8.15pm on Saturday, 15 March, 2025, officers received a report of a serious assault on Market Square, Stonehaven. “An 18-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. “A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday, 17 March, 2025. “Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3318 of 15 March. “Detective Sergeant Niall Mullen said: “This is being treated as an isolated incident and there was no risk to the wider public.” Stonehaven residents lined the town’s harbour today to pay a poignant tribute to beloved skipper Ian Balgowan Emotional crowds looked on as the fisherman made his final trip from the harbour through the auld toon towards his final resting place The much-loved family man died last month at the age of 79 A celebration of his life was held this morning in Fetteresso Parish Church carried Ian through the streets he spent so much time in and through the community in which he was such a well-known face Ian’s coffin could be seen accompanied by flowers and his yellow fisherman’s boots Volunteers from the Tolbooth Museum and the RNLI stood on the Old Pier as the cortege made its way slowly past The procession then made its way up High Street as yet more onlookers watched on Ian was known for being the captain of The Harvester – of which there is a sculpture on the Stonehaven waterfront it was said that the town’s harbour “will never be the same” will remember him as a “loving” Aberdeenshire grandfather the 48-year-old said Stonehaven had “lost one its characters” and that she and her siblings had been “blessed” by the life Ian gave them He became known fondly in the area during his life – whether through his prominent position at the Stonehaven harbour museum or simply by “arresting” passers-by for a lengthy chat while sweeping at the docks Stonehaven Harbour Master Jimmy Brown told us: “The harbour will never be the same again We are running out of people like him.” Heartfelt tributes for Stonehaven skipper Ian Balgowan, who has died aged 79 We are delighted to announce that we will be holding a parkrun event on Christmas Day 2024 (Wednesday 25th December 2024) and on New Year's Day 2025 (Wednesday 1st January 2025) The events will take place at their normal start time of 09:30am Obviously we wouldn't be able to do this without some fabulous volunteers so do let us know if you want to help out: stonehaven@parkrun.com I hope you can join us for these extra special runs Stonehaven neighbours are at odds over a new pergola which one unhappy resident claims is “infringing on his human rights” while the Spider’s Web pub in Dyce is in line for a bit of a makeover These and more feature in this week’s Planning Ahead our regular round-up of the latest proposals being pondered across the north-east Every week we bring readers a selection of the most interesting applications submitted to our councils to form changes big and small in our communities Just around the corner from St Machar Cathedral 49 Don Street is in one of the city’s most desirable areas who are hoping to carry out work to “maintain the building’s condition and preserve its historic character” As the property dates back to the early 19th century and is B-listed the couple want to install a new shower room Windows put in during the 1980s would be replaced rooflights added and the roof itself would be re-slated a new “garden studio” would be created “to support the owner’s interest in jewellery making” to make sure it offers “picturesque views” of the sprawling outdoor space Hyve Architects explain why the changes are required Papers sent to the council state: “The applicant now seeks to sensitively upgrade the existing building to enhance its energy efficiency “Proposed works include essential remedial repairs to the buildings structure which has deteriorated over time due to woodworm infestations and ageing.” The roof was found to be in “very poor condition” a neon sign saying “Welcome to Vape Town” has caught the eye of unimpressed historians The 12 King Street shop is operated by Glasgow-based Ameen Goheer who was unaware that consent would be needed for changes to this listed building The property in question was built as part of the “bold town planning which created Union Street and King Street” Both 12 and 14, which are just off the Castlegate, are said to have architectural merit as “classical tenements” The Aberdeen Civic society has lodged an objection to how the new frontage looks A letter sent to the council states: “The character of this part of King Street And Thomas Lindsay says the new shopfront is “absolutely hideous” He hopes a traditional frontage can be reinstated which would be “much more appropriate” The row comes as the property is about to go under the hammer 12 King Street will be up for auction on March 6, with bids starting from £102,000 There’s a lot going on down at Aberdeen Beach right now with fields dug up in the name of progress as a multi-million-pound playpark takes shape advertisers are aiming to cash in on the expected footfall boost at the seafront Over in Dyce, proposals to revamp the Spider’s Web pub next to the train station have been formed Bosses want to carry out a package of improvements new cladding would be added to the entrance there would be alterations to form an accessible toilet at the rear and a canopy would be replaced The Station Road venue is a popular spot with people travelling to and from the airport Last week, Planning Ahead documented a neighbourhood dispute in Fraserburgh over the height of a garden hedge we travel to Stonehaven where the council is being asked to step into a spat over a new pergola Ian Veltman installed the addition at his Evan Street address without permission But papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council explain that Mr Veltman, the director of an engineering firm was not aware consent would be required… And he could face having to undo the work if councillors side with his miffed neighbours is “concerned that the pergola reduces the amount of sunlight to the garden” he says the Stonehaven pergola – along with a new shed – is making his own garden feel “built up” says the new decking installed is higher than the predecessor it replaced His objection states: “It now has an out of scale/overbearing pergola structure with roof which is extremely high – level with the second floor of the applicant’s home.” “We now have a serious issue of overshadowing and huge loss of light due to the height of the pergola structure roof “We also now have a complete loss of privacy as the structure is built at such a height they are now overlooking our space.” Mr Carter even quotes part of the Human Rights Act which states that a “person has a right to peaceful enjoyment of all their possessions Heritage specialists have inspected the proposal and see no issue with it because the pergola can’t be seen from the main road nearby “It is considered acceptable in this instance,” they add And Mr Veltman’s architects have now responded to the claims about the Stonehaven pergola Mark MacGillivray accuses Mr Carter and his wife of installing a hot tub in their garden without permission The designer says his client “would like the hot tub to be taken into account” when deciding the application – arguing that any overshadowing is no worse than it was before And Mr MacGillivray argues that the roof is needed to protect the owners from bird droppings… A few weeks ago, Planning Ahead revealed the upgrades being plotted at historic Glenkindie House in Donside It is owned by the same wealthy American socialites who purchased Kildrummy Estate for millions a few years ago They want to convert the existing catering kitchen there into a “family kitchen” while a new catering kitchen would be created in the store room to serve up food for functions Because of the importance of the A-listed country mansion council historians were asked for their thoughts on the changes acknowledging that “much of the interior of the building has been remodelled over the years” A report states: “No internal decorative features or loss of significant historic fabric would occur because of the proposed alterations.” Don Street home plan King Street shop Aberdeen Beach advert Spider’s Web changes Stonehaven pergola dispute Glenkindie House changes approved A Stonehaven resident bravely tried to assist a struggling shark washed up on the beach From her apartment overlooking the south end of Stonehaven Bay Laura Mingo noticed something peculiar from her window on Thursday morning She initially thought it was rubbish that had washed up during the stormy weather but then noticed a fin flapping and immediately took notice Laura headed down to the shore and came face-to-face with a 5ft shark so Ms Mingo proceeded to get into the water to help the creature despite the bone-chilling temperature It is believed to be a juvenile blue shark She said: “I didn’t know what to do I tried to move it with my foot but it was too big “I waited for the next tide to come in “I was up to my thighs in water and kept away from its head because I know they recover quickly “I managed to refloat it and it went off “It continued to have seizures as I tried to refloat it again “I realised at that point it was dying and stopped trying to intervene.” Ms Mingo told The P&J the incident happened between 7.30am and 8.30am and that due to her job but the shark was still thrashing on the beach She reported it to the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme and returned several times to check on it Ms Mingo said: “I was shocked when I first saw it and I wanted to help it “I’ve had a baby seal outside my flat door before She later said a fellow resident had successfully refloated the shark SMASS confirmed it is aware of the incident An Aberdeenshire man whose cousin has dementia has revealed his shock at her care home fees being increased by 80% per month Ian Matthews spoke to The Press and Journal after he received an email from Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) about the rise in 84-year-old Winnifred Russell’s fees She currently pays £3,500 per month to be a resident of Edenholme Care Home in Stonehaven this will increase to an “obscene” £6,300 every four weeks from April 1 80% in this day in age is absolutely ridiculous,” Mr Matthews said The changes have been made as AHSCP look to make more than £17million in savings this financial year who is retired and is Mrs Russell’s power of attorney said it is an “unfair” and “demoralising” move “She doesn’t need medical care or anything like that she’s not getting any benefits or any additional care to what she already gets and suddenly they’ve decided it’s to be increased by 80% Mrs Russell’s cousin also said at new costs, her savings will only last for “another couple of years” before the Scottish Government has to step in and pay “The war on old people continues and is thriving in Aberdeenshire,” Mr Matthews added whose mum is a resident at Bennachie View Care Home in Inverurie His mother to the home last year after the controversial closure of Westbank Care Home in Inverurie which forced 25 residents to seek alternative facilities Her costs will increase from £859 per week to £1,580 every seven days was informed about the increases by letter yesterday – two working days before they come into effect something he describes as being “quite alarming” “Usually it’s a small pay rise,” he said “It’s a blatant price gouging of the self-funding residents.” His mum has already been forced to sell her home to pay for the care fees and her son revealed the increase will leave her penniless in a year rather than “seven or eight” on the current prices “They’re just taking the money away because it does feel a bit like that.” A spokeswoman for the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “For a number of years the cost of a place at one of our in-house care homes was not calculated based on the actual cost of of that place now charges people for services based on the full cost of delivering that service “The majority of people resident in our care homes pay only a contribution based on what they can afford towards the cost All of our care home residents will have a financial assessment when moving into one of our homes to establish what contribution they can make and they can request a new financial assessment at any time.” A young Stonehaven chef has added to her growing trophy cabinet after being crowed ‘best in show’ during her latest feat Phoebe Lawson battled it out against the world’s best culinary masters at the International Salon Culinaire competition in London Rated one of the world’s top culinary competitions the occasion gives chefs the chance to test their skills and creativity across 120 live and static challenges Joining the Compass Group UK & Ireland team the 18-year-old chef blew the judges away with her culinary skills the young chef won ‘best in show’ for her restaurant plate and walked away with a gold award and best in class for her main course plates two silvers and a best in class for her dessert plates and bronze for afternoon tea Phoebe, who is a Compass Scotland apprentice and Commis Chef at Aberdeen-based ESS Energy says she’s proud to return home to the north-east victorious and get the chance to learn from the best in the business She said: “This has been a really great opportunity to compete I loved taking part and it was a brilliant environment attending the competition with everyone “I am really proud to come home with these medals.” Phoebe has won a host of awards for her culinary skills including the chance to work at the Royal Ascot at the age of 15 In 2022, the former Mackie Academy pupil began her career as a chef at Royal Ascot at just age 15 after winning the Springboard FutureChef contest Government & Infrastructure said Phoebe is a ‘shining example’ of what is possible He said: “This is a phenomenal result for Phoebe and for our culinary team We’re always incredibly proud to see people develop and to see them helping others on their journey This is a real showcase of both development and wider support “We’re committed to supporting our people to progress in their careers Phoebe is a shining example of what can be accomplished Culinary Director at Compass Group UK & Ireland added: “This is a brilliant result for Phoebe – a huge congratulations and well done for the hard work.” A former top international boxer has been fined after he made a series of threats to a woman in Stonehaven Commonwealth bronze medal-winner John Docherty appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he admitted making threatening remarks to the woman on Thursday afternoon last week was driving through Stonehaven when a woman shouted something at him calling the woman a “rat” and threatening to smash up her phone told the court her client knew that he had verbally lashed out and shouldn’t have retaliated in this way Docherty – who won bronze for Scotland in the 2018 Gold Coast games – trained at Aberdeen’s Byron Boxing Club prior to the event It was reported Docherty narrowly kept his driving licence when he was caught doing 105mph in a car while uninsured last year.  Fiscal depute Anne Mann told the court that a previous disagreement had occurred between Docherty and the complainer the woman was in a front garden with a friend on Burns Terrace “There were numerous children around when the accused arrived,” she said The woman then shouted something to Docherty Ms Mann said the woman then went into the house but could still hear Docherty shouting at her She then warned him that the police had been contacted Docherty pleaded guilty to one charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner Defence solicitor Natasha Martin told the court that Docherty now accepted that he could have behaved differently “This was in a moment when he was being shouted at by the complainer,” Ms Martin said adding that her client pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity and he is in a position to pay any fine that the court deems appropriate.” Sheriff Gareth Jones told Docherty that he was persuaded that a fine was the most appropriate way to deal with this offence For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.  known as birthplace of the deep fried Mars bar So I decided to put each of the Stonehaven chippers to the test I tried out the battered haddock supper on offer at every spot This Stonehaven fish and chip shop isn’t near the harbour in Stonehaven There were two other customers eagerly waiting for their orders when I arrived The battered haddock supper from Redcloak Fish Bar cost £10.20 It took around nine minutes from when I ordered our supper to when I got it This Stonehaven chipper served the best supper While several of the chips tasted undercooked for my taste I had to try out the supper from well-loved spot The Bay Fish and Chips Although it was a wet and windy December night when I visited there were at least four other customers in there at the same time as us The coastal location of this chipper would make it perfect for a supper in the sunny summer months At The Bay Fish and Chips the haddock supper cost £10.60 These chips were significantly better than at Redcloak Fish Bar The fish wasn’t as crispy though sadly I do think it was a slightly smaller portion than in Redcloak Fish Bar but you still get a decent amount of chips and haddock This Stonehaven fish and chip spot is of course very well-known for the invention of the deep fried Mars bar there are three or four other customers waiting for their weeknight treat when I visit and the battered haddock supper cost £10.30 This spot gets a special commendation for the best chips crunchy ones that are incredibly tasty too The batter on the haddock from Stonehaven chipper The Carron though was rather soggy The cheapest battered haddock supper in Stonehaven can be found at Meydan but I wasn’t a fan of the flavour of them unfortunately After testing out the old faithful haddock supper from these Stonehaven chippers here is how I would rank them in order of preference: An area of Stonehaven was cordoned off by police last night following reports of an incident Officers were seen patrolling the town centre with witnesses describing a heavy police presence in the Square There are reports of officers “swarming” the town centre area with some residents describing “the most police” they had ever seen in Stonehaven Police Scotland has not yet provided details on the nature of the Stonehaven incident The incident happened around 8pm when an urgent Facebook alert was issued by officers It urged people to “avoid the area.” It read: “Police Scotland are currently dealing with an ongoing incident in the Stonehaven area members of the public are requested to avoid the area.” some questioned whether any arrests had been made in connection with the incident no further updates have been provided by police at this stage We have contacted Police Scotland for comment and will provide updates as more information becomes available Our reporters are working to bring you the latest updates on this developing story Please check back later for more and follow The Press and Journal on Facebook and online for breaking news Stonehaven’s Seafood Bothy has become a local institution since starting up from a converted horsebox at the harbour a few years ago The takeaway even hit the headlines when plans to expand were knocked back “in case lobsters frightened children” Planning committee member Wendy Agnew attracted scorn by suggesting startled little ones could run out into traffic after clapping eyes on a crustacean Owner Maria Lewis has now announced plans to leave her berth at the port – and is looking for a suitable successor And she is only willing to sell to the right person Posting on Facebook Mrs Lewis said: “Please only enquire if you are prepared to keep it as a Seafood Bothy only the desire to keep on doing what we have done for six years and reap the financial rewards.” Selling some of “Scotland’s best seafood” with a ready-to-eat menu Mrs Lewis and husband Wes have “created a huge following” She added that this includes repeat customers and tourists “in abundance” “It’s all been done for you as we’ve been running this business for over six years As the saying goes ‘if it isn’t broken don’t try and fix it’,” she added “enables the business to open” The husband and wife partnership said “it’s all about the right buyer” and if they cannot find this which runs from April to October and around Christmas time Wetherspoons barred from drilling holes into historic Aberdeen pub for new signs Stonehaven lobster sculpture unveiled in honour of Seafood Bothy row that became local meme David Knight: We’ve got stricter rules for lobsters than antisocial teens Liam Byrne has dreamed of flying like a bird since he was a child he has dedicated his life to achieving this goal “It may sound strange but I knew really early on that’s what I wanted to do – fly like a bird,” he said is now the British champion in performance wingsuit flying and is affectionately known as “bird man” to his family and friends Liam learned how to skydive when he was 16 and he became Britain’s youngest wingsuit pilot on his 17th birthday He now says the wingsuit is a “second skin” for him The adventure-seeker is the subject of an upcoming BBC documentary The half-hour episode builds up to Liam taking on the most technically difficult challenge of his career – a wingsuit jump off 7,000ft Männlichen in Switzerland He feels ready to achieve this – at speeds of more than 200mph – after completing almost 4,000 jumps He told the filming crew: “When I’m getting ready to go to the edge of the cliff there’s a voice in my head that still says ‘what are you doing man?’ but there’s another voice that says ‘this is all you’ve been dreaming about your entire life Filming also took place in Liam’s hometown of Stonehaven with his parents Panning shots of Dunnottar Castle and the coastline open the show to highlight the local nature which inspired Liam’s love of the outdoors He says walking up Bennachie as a child triggered his sense of adventure and has led to his more extreme challenges across the world Base jumping – an acronym for buildings spans and earth – involves jumping from a fixed object with a parachute “Definitely do not try this at home,” Liam said After 10 years of training and building experience the 23-year-old is pushing himself to reach “elite” levels of the sport this involves proximity flying – as fast and as close as you can fly to the ground or objects As he steps up to the cliff edge in the Swiss Alps Liam takes a moment to connect with his 13-year-old self He says: “As far back as I can remember that this is what I wanted to do so every time I walk up to that cliff with a wingsuit on I kind of connect with that 13 year old kid that said he wanted to do it “Overall that’s what I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve done what I set out to do.” The Boy Who Can Fly will air on BBC One at 7.30pm on Friday A slip road on to the A90 north of Stonehaven has been closed due to an overturned lorry The incident occurred at around 10.30am on Tuesday, January 14 at the Cowie Park junction north of Stonehaven It is being reported that the overturned lorry was making its way on to the A90 southbound when it rolled over Traffic Scotland is reporting the slip road is closed Drivers are advised to approach with caution A police spokesperson said: “The B979 at its slip road with the A90 near Stonehaven is partially closed following a one-vehicle crash involving a lorry around 9.45am on Tuesday “There were no reported injuries and recovery is currently being arranged.” Please check back later for more and follow The Press and Journal on Facebook for breaking news A Stonehaven carer turned convicted thief has been struck off more than 18 months after she stole almost £7,000 from a vulnerable pensioner Sarah Littlejohn, 44, was under investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for her conduct while working in Stonehaven The SSSC report comes more than 18 months after she was found guilty of stealing money from 89-year-old Elsie Stephen. disabled and suffering from dementia at the time was assisted by Ms Littlejohn between 2018 and 2020 her family became suspicious of Ms Littlejohn who was reported to police when bank transactions didn’t add up In total Ms Littlejohn has taken £6,688.89 between March 28 she was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court of stealing from Ms Stephen At the time of her conviction she was employed with Cornerstone Community Care though she was not working for the company when the offence was committed Ms Littlejohn subsequently paid back the money she admitted to taking and was spared a prison sentence – instead carrying out unpaid work A report stated: “Your behaviour took place over a nine-month period and had the potential to seriously disadvantage a vulnerable individual the consequences of which could have been life-changing for the victim both in terms of her financial security and emotional stability.” In the time that followed Ms Stephen told friends and family how “heartbroken” she was that someone she trusted would do that to her Ms Stephen died at the age of 91 in January 2023 The report added that Ms Littlejohn had failed to comply with the SSSC investigation She remained working in the care sector for two years following 2020 and in that time there were no other reports of misconduct the SSSC has concluded there is no other option than to remove her from the register with immediate effect director of delivery for Cornerstone said: “The wellbeing and safety of all the people we support is an absolute priority for Cornerstone “It is important to note that this person was not employed by Cornerstone at the time of the offence “She was immediately suspended once the charge came to our attention and was dismissed on August 15 Mr Phillips added: “Appropriate reports were also made to the SSSC “We are confident that through following our robust policies appropriate steps were taken to safeguard the wellbeing of the people we support ensuring we provided the highest standard of care” A Stonehaven man who was snared by an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old boy has been tagged and given community service Luke Craddock avoided jail after admitting three charges of having indecent images of children distributing some of those pictures and enticing a child to look at indecent images Some of the disturbing images were considered to be in the most serious category The court heard 27-year-old Craddock thought he was messaging a 12-year-old boy named Samuel during a week in May 2023 The officer had been deployed onto messaging platform Kik to find users who had a sexual interest in children She described how the undercover cop had told Craddock on a group chat that he was 12 years old and they began private messaging and Craddock sent a sexually explicit video of a child to the officer Ms Martin went on to say that between May 11 and 18 2023 Craddock continued to exchange various messages with ‘Samuel’ “Within these messages [Craddock] discussed a desire to engage in sexual activity with the witness and sent various sexual images and videos depicting males engaged in penetrative sexual activity Craddock also sent images and videos of himself in a state of undress while carrying out a sex act He also requested videos from ‘Samuel’ stating that he wanted to see his private parts so that he could imagine that they were both together Police went to confront Craddock at his place of work on June 22 2023 and they seized his phone were found and featuring boys estimated to be aged between 10 and 14 Craddock was arrested in relation to another matter and a further phone was recovered She said: “That phone was found to have files containing child sexual exploitation and abuse material “In total 27 still images and four videos were recovered from this device Five images and one video were graded Category A three images and three videos were graded Category B “The images and videos featured boys estimated to be between 7 and 14 years of age.” Craddock’s defence solicitor Ian Woodward-Nutt said his client lives with and is “in part” the carer for his grandmother and suffers from anxiety and depression who has been diagnosed autistic and suffers from ADHD accepted these were “serious offences” and he had been getting therapy “He has been working with sexual psychotherapists,” Mr Woodward-Nutt explained “There is evidence that this will be beneficial and likely to reduce further risk of re-offending.” Sheriff Ian Wallace said Craddock had pled guilty to “very serious” sexual offences in relation to children and they were committed “despite the issues you suffer from” He said: “I do take into account your mental health and disorders But I must ensure public safety in the future.” Sheriff Wallace placed Craddock under supervision for three years and ordered him to carry out program work to address his sexual offending Craddock was also ordered to carry out 260 hours of unpaid work and placed on a Restriction of Liberty Order for eight months in which he cannot leave his home address between the hours of 7pm and 6am Sheriff Wallace also made a further order under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years meaning Craddock is also forbidden to make contact with anyone under the age of 16 or leisure or recreation facilities without prior approval from the police was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register and made subject to its notification requirements It’s not every day you meet someone who’s spent 12 days racing through the frozen wilderness of Alaska with 16 huskies Known affectionately as the “Tartan Musher,” Wattie returned to Aberdeenshire after conquering the Iditarod one of the world’s most gruelling and iconic sled dog races spanning 1,049 miles across the Alaskan wilderness offering sled dog adventures and year-round kennel tours for visitors keen to experience the thrill of the sport the story of Husky Haven began back in 1999 with a Siberian husky named Keeska Initially dragged into the world of dog shows by his wife Wendy But the real spark came from the community he met along the way—husky owners who introduced him to mushing a sport involving sled dogs and three-wheeled rigs speeding through forest trails the atmosphere when you’re harnessing up the dogs What started with one husky became a 36-dog kennel all with names starting with a “K” in honour of Keeska when Wattie and Wendy travelled to Alaska for their wedding anniversary they arrived during the Iditarod sled dog race across frozen Alaska But participating in the Iditarod is no easy feat Backed by local fundraising and sponsorship he trained in Alaska under 1984 Iditarod champion Dean Osmar leasing a team of dogs and living among them to build trust “You’re a vending machine to them,” Wattie explains ‘something good’s coming—probably food.’ That’s how the bond forms.” dressed in a kilt and flanked by bagpipers Wattie set off from the Iditarod start line representing Scotland After 12 gruelling days and nights in temperatures as low as -54°C he crossed the finish line mid-pack—but with all 16 dogs still running strong “No one expected me to finish,” he chuckles He returned to Alaska the following year for a second attempt but plans for a third in 2012 were tragically derailed when Wendy was diagnosed with cancer But the dream they had shared—to create a home for their huskies—pushed him forward with help from Richard Holman-Baird of Rickarton Estate Wattie secured land on the site of a newly constructed wind farm trail in the hills above Stonehaven and she wasn’t there to see it,” he says quietly A mushing centre dedicated to the sport in Scotland and a glimpse into life with a pack of working huskies And then another twist—later that year, Wattie suffered a cardiac arrest aboard a ship in the Mediterranean. Dead for 20 minutes, he was revived, received a triple bypass, and spent months recovering in hospital ‘You’re not leaving here till we fix you,’” he recalls Wattie is now remarried to Jackie who shares Wattie’s love for huskies Supported by a loyal group of volunteers—many of whom have been with him from the start—he’s built a sanctuary for the animals he loves and a destination for visitors worldwide From husky rides and kennel tours to dog sponsorships and gift shop souvenirs every penny earned goes back into feeding and caring for the dogs “Unless I can find a market for husky crap has helped Husky Haven grow over 12,000 followers Wattie regularly hosts presentations about his Iditarod adventures and still dreams of returning one day “54 below is the coldest temperature I’ve experience on the trail in Alaska,” he says “You don’t expose any skin unnecessarily because it will freeze If you take your gloves off to do your dog chores within minutes your hands are sore with the cold “Your eyelids start freezing together you’ve got icicles hanging from your nose and your face.” Wattie will undergo surgery on his knees—damage from countless trails ridden hard across frozen Alaskan tundra 15 miles of frozen hummocks,” he remembers he returned to Alaska with his grandson Finlay—just 14 at the time—who’s showing the same fire Wattie once had The 61-year-old is thrilled his grandson shares his passion for Husky Haven and hopes to one day pass on the reins to him And if the opportunity arises for another shot at Iditorad “If the sky opened up with £50,000 right now Husky Haven is a year-round facility for huskies and Wattie says he couldn’t do it without the help of his volunteers and support from the community the centre relies on community contributions to keep things running smoothly Supporters are regularly thanked with access to exclusive events Flooding is expected to hit Stonehaven today and residents have been told to “act now” as a warning is issued It is expected to hit the coastal Aberdeenshire town around the time of high tide at 3.15pm this afternoon A combination of high tides and prevailing weather conditions means that flooding from the sea is expected to affect low-lying land Flooding in and around low lying areas is possible with waves expected to affect low-lying parts of Boatie Row the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has warned people to “remain vigilant” ahead of the potential storm which is in place “until further notice” it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property “Advice and information is available on our website or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.” The Floodline quick dial number for the Stonehaven area is 21149 which has affected local residences and businesses within the lower reach of the River Carron Major flooding events have occurred in the town on numerous occasions which caused the evacuation of nearby residents the much-anticipated Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme – which began in 2019 and cost £16 million to build – was completed by Aberdeenshire Council Designed to protect homes and businesses which have previously been badly affected by flooding events around the Carron, it survived its first major challenge two months later, when it protected the town from the impact of Storm Babet Our team was led by Partner Jo Evans with support from Matthew Rowbotham, Joe Lythgoe and Leah Glover. Ayesha Chanda, Gabriella Jack and Michael Birchall amongst others also assisted on the transaction Commenting on the deal, Corporate Partner and Chair, Jo Evans “We were delighted to work with Peter and Neil and the team at Stonehaven to welcome Public First to the Stonehaven group We wish Public First all the best in their new home” Commenting on working with Lewis Silkin on the transaction “It was a real pleasure to work with Jo Matthew and Leah and the rest of the Lewis Silkin team expertise and support and the collaborative approach with our other advisors We look forward to working with them again in the future” Stonehaven attracts visitors from all over the world bringing with them a fresh look at fashion and some new ideas on where to shop the boardwalk can be reminiscent of an international runway American classics and brand new trends from the Far East Meanwhile locals know how to put an outfit together for a stroll along shoreline of the North Sea And if there’s one thing almost everyone knows how to do well in what can be an exposed landscape it’s to dress for whatever the weather can throw at them We went style-spotting along Stonehaven boardwalk this autumn/winter season and here are some looks we liked: I waitress and I’m studying fine art at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen And I threw on a pair of leggings and comfy shoes to do some sketching My style icon is basically any stranger that I see and like what they are wearing I’m studying Interaction Design at Glasgow School of Art I don’t really like very colourful clothing I like necklaces and earrings in plain silver I watch TikTok live streams where you can see the texture of the clothes I have an app called “Outfit of Today” where people share their outfits I’ve just finished school and taking a break A coat I’ve had for ages from the charity shop I buy from charity shops or borrow from my friends I do sometimes buy new if I find something The trousers are just black cargos and my coat is one I bought at the vintage market at the Music Hall on Saturday One of the characters in the crew wears one like this I cobble things together from vintage shops or online David Harbour from Stranger Things and Jack Black A scarf that was a gift from my pal Nicholas Normally I’d have boots but I only brought a small case for my trip perhaps traditional with a colourful twist Well, I’m in Norway, so it’s a mixture. Some second-hand. I like the Salvation Army and also a website called Care of Carl More Street Style: Here’s what 6 stylish party people in Aberdeen wore for Mad Friday 2024. Emergency services were called to Market Square in Stonehaven at around 8.15pm on Saturday after reports of an 18-year-old being seriously assaulted. A 17-year-old man was arrested and charged and appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday. He was charged with assault to severe injury, danger of life and attempted murder, as well as being in possession of an offensive weapon and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The 17-year-old was committed for further examination and released on bail. He will next appear in court at a later date. The famous Stonehaven Fireballs are to go ahead despite warnings for rain on New Year’s Eve A yellow weather warning for rain and snow is in place across most of Scotland The poor forecast has led to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay being cancelled – however organisers of the hugely popular Fireballs event say it is “going ahead as planned” They posted on social media: “As it stands at the moment the Fireballs are still going ahead as planned “The current local forecast looks reasonable but we are keeping a very close eye on this and will review as appropriate “If you are planning to travel to see the ceremony please check your local forecasts and road conditions before you start your journey “Please also note that if you are coming along very warm/waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.” Stonehaven Fireballs is a chance for the Aberdeenshire town to ring in the New Year in style and dates back to the 19th century It involves around 40 men and women parading up and down the High Street swinging flaming balls around their heads in a truly spectacular sight Local businesses have been preparing for the event with thousands of visitors expected to descend on Stonehaven for Hogmanay Several pubs and hotels are fully booked in advance Stonehaven falls into a yellow warning zone for rain and snow which is due to last until the bells on December 31 A second yellow warning for snow and ice is due to begin from midnight on January 1 While Stonehaven is not included in the area covered by the warning In addition, an amber warning for rain across the central Highlands and the Cairngorms will impact residents’ Hogmanay celebrations. Three severe flood warnings have also been issued in Speyside A new Stonehaven wine bar has been given the go-ahead to continue selling alcohol until revamp work at its premises is finished Nadarra Wine Bar and Eatery opened its doors to customers in September Bruce Printers unit in the heart of the town that went up for sale following Mr Bruce’s retirement the Cameron Street venue has been operating on what’s known as occasional licences to allow it to sell alcohol to diners That means it doesn’t have a full booze licence yet premises boss Robert Armstrong faced the Aberdeenshire licensing board this morning as he had exceeded the number of those temporary requests allowed The independently-owned wine bar recently lodged six additional requests seeking permission to sell booze between January and March 2025 Mr Armstrong had to explain why this was the case He also had to clear up why a permanent premises licence has not been applied for quite yet Mr Armstrong revealed he can’t gain a premises licence until renovation works are complete at the town centre venue “I wasn’t sure when the initial opening would be required so I put in occasional licences to cover from the start of August,” he said I hadn’t used them until the business opened at the end of September “The business is over three floors and the whole building needed refurbished so I’m still waiting on the building warrant certificate to finish it off fully so I can put in the full premises licence.” The bar manager stated he was still waiting for one or two things to get “ticked off” but he was looking to apply for the premises licence by the start of February Licensing standards officer Keith Simpson explained that a full premises licence would “not be competent” until the building completion certificates are all received he said the council could “move forward quite swiftly” with the premises application once the works are finished Councillor Jeff Goodhall said he was “quite happy” with the bar’s progress and noted that Mr Armstrong “cannot proceed until he has the paperwork required” “As long as he keeps in contact, I’m happy to continue with the occasional licences,” he added This view was shared by his fellow board members and they unanimously agreed to grant the applications A Stonehaven mum has revealed she still gets triggered more than two weeks after her dream holiday turned into a nightmare as smoke began pouring into their hotel room they had booked a £1,400 all-inclusive holiday for a week at the Grand Yazici Club Marmaris Palace Julie told The Press and Journal they had been thoroughly enjoying the trip and the hotel itself – until their sixth and final night Julie was awoken at 5am by loud banging on her third-floor room’s door she made her way to the door and opened it to find it full of fellow guests rushing past in sheer panic “We were woken up really early because of banging and a commotion outside our door,” she said “I opened the door and there were loads of people in the hallway in their pyjamas and underwear “The guys working the night shift were banging on people’s doors because there were no fire alarms going off trying to get down the unlit spiral staircase.” Julie went on to say few of the staff spoke English and there was a lack of clear communication with guests She was later told there had been an electrical fault in the plant room on the floor above and that smoke was making its way through the air conditioning system Describing the evacuation as “pure pandemonium”, the family, originally from Stonehaven were able to get out and then wait by the side of the road the family’s ordeal was not over as Conner began suffering from hypoglycaemia while waiting outside Julie said: “We didn’t have any of his medication with us – I mean “My son was outside in just his boxer shorts because we just didn’t have time to grab anything “Conner started to go into ‘hypo’ – it must have been the adrenaline – and we didn’t have any glucose to give him so we asked the police and they gave us some chewing gum we found some people we had made friends with and actually Conner had given her some sweets the night before which she had managed to grab – so it saved him because we were really starting to panic.” Julie said some people on the fourth floor were forced to remain on their balconies as smoke filled the hotel Julie said all guests had been evacuated from the hotel It’s understood 11 people were taken to hospital​ Alternative accommodation was found for the guests and it was from another hotel that Julie’s husband Jet2 had yet to be informed of the incident but representatives leapt into action to assist the hundreds of families in distress She recalls that many of the guests were suffering from coughing fits and says she could still “taste” the smoke five days after the incident The Dickson family were able to return to their room just after midday Many returning guests found their rooms and belongings covered in thick soot Thankfully Julie had packed most of their luggage as they were due to leave at 5pm The traumatic ordeal has left a lasting impression on Julie who admits to feeling anxious at small things She said: “Since we’ve been home I have freaked out at silly things “We were at the train station and when the fire alarm went off “I was using my oven the other day and I could smell something plastic burning She is seeking compensation from Jet2holidays for what happened she said their initial offer of just £90 was “absolutely unacceptable” A Jet2holidays spokesperson said: “We can confirm that all occupants of the Grand Yazici Club Marmaris Palace, including Jet2holidays customers “We moved all customers to other properties and our teams provided assistance and support to everyone who required it “We understand the hotelier and local authorities are carrying out a full investigation and we await the results of that we are in contact with Mr and Mrs Dickson and will be in touch with them directly once the results of investigations are complete.” A teenager has been charged following a “stabbing” incident in Market Square in Stonehaven A 17-year-old boy has been charged and is due to appear in court An 18-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after the incident It was described by officers as a “serious assault” and it is understood that a knife was used The 18-year-old’s condition is not known Police have said there is no risk to the wider public Officers were seen patrolling Stonehaven town centre following the assault Witnesses described a heavy police presence in the Market Square Detective Sergeant Niall Mullen said: “This is being treated as an isolated incident and there was no risk to the wider public “Anyone with concerns can contact police on 101.” A police spokesperson said: “Around 8.15pm on Saturday officers received a report of a serious assault on Market Square “An 18-year-old man was taken to the hospital for treatment “A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday “Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3318 of 15 March.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 3318 of March 15 Information can also be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 A Stonehaven couple have been battling the council over new windows more west end offices in Aberdeen are set for change and the new owner of historic Fasque House has lodged improvement plans All these and more feature in this week’s Planning Ahead our weekly round-up of the latest proposals being pondered across the north-east an expert in relieving back pain wants to set up a new base in the Granite City We start with more plans to convert unwanted office space in Aberdeen’s west end This follows the news last week that a doctor is planning to convert a Queen’s Road building into a new clinic a chiropractor wants to take over the old Murray Ormiston law firm premises at 25A Carden Place The plans have been lodged by Duane Wood of Spine First Ltd has been working in the north-east for some time His profile page on the Garioch Chiropractic website explains that he found his calling after getting injured during cross-country horseback riding in his younger years He says: “The instant relief I got made me realise that this is how I wanted to help people.” The office had been put up to rent for £12,000 per year As for the previous occupant, Murray Ormiston is no longer trading Last week it emerged that Stuart Murray, who was one of the firm’s leaders, has been stripped of his licence to practise law as an investigation into alleged financial irregularities gets under way Hamilton-based Waterfoot Properties wants to turn 36 Carden Place into a house The “prestigious” building once home to Asset Integrity Management has been empty for some time Ground floor offices would become a lounge dining area and kitchen under the proposals More former work areas upstairs would be turned into four bedrooms Have a nose about inside the vacant former workplace: Shoppers visiting the Sainsbury’s at Berryden may have noticed some changes lately, as exasperated supermarket chiefs lose patience with a Scottish Government plan… bosses put in plans to spend £60,000 demolishing the deposit return scheme centres at both the Berryden and Garthdee supermarkets in Aberdeen The facilities were installed in line with the deposit return scheme which was due to be introduced nationwide in July 2022 drinks sold in certain containers would have an extra 20p charge which is returned once the container is deposited at a recycling point But the plans have now been pushed back to October 2025 and Sainsbury’s doesn’t want the structures cluttering up their car parks a former yoga studio is being given a makeover under plans put forward by a children’s group Moo Music is described as “fun high-energy interactive music and sensory class for babies and toddlers of Aberdeen” Management want to spend £5,000 adjusting the space above the Street Stompers shoe shop and a few doors down from Sainsbury’s The unit was advertised as available to rent for £27,500 per year. Moo Music has already moved in – and is launching today (Monday a closed taxi office could become a new town centre barber shop The 12 Thistle Street address was home to Central Taxis which already has a premises on St Peter Street is seeking permission to give it a new look as its second venue The new owner of Fettercairn’s Fasque House is rolling out improvements worth £3 million at the A-listed country mansion that was home to former prime minister The five star wedding and events venue was previously estimated to be worth many millions after a major renovation about a decade ago a developer also behind a slew of proposals in Aberdeen He and wife Susan already run the similar Broxmouth Courtyard venue in East Lothian they want to create an in-house catering team at Fasque expand the accommodation and upgrade the interiors Mr Flame vowed to “deliver exceptional wedding experiences for many more couples” Documents sent to Aberdeenshire Council explain how Mr Flame wants to relocate the kitchen form new ground floor bedrooms and install more en suite facilities Architects say the existing kitchens are “too small” for the new owner’s plans and “currently disused” Victorian kitchens elsewhere in the building would be better the space occupied by the existing kitchen would be turned into two extra bedrooms The architects add: “This will provide fully accessible bedroom accommodation for the first time at Fasque House.” And there is said to be “a business need” for en suite bathrooms as only five rooms at the castle already have this a former shop could be turned into a house Papers sent to Aberdeenshire Council say 55 Balmellie Street has recently served as a hairdresser and pilates studio Aberdeen’s former The Hollies care home could soon receive a new lease of life after going under the hammer in a pioneering project has seven bedrooms and was sold as having “potential” to be transformed into a house It had a guide price of £199,000 having lingered on the market at a price of £375,000 for years This building, along with the St Peter’s Nursery site in Old Aberdeen, went under the hammer as the council entered unknown territory by auctioning off troublesome sites The Hollies was said to require “extensive” work to make it habitable And now it looks like a new owner is poised to make a start on the fixer-upper Mohammed Javed Akhtar has lodged a building warrant outlining his plans for the property The document says he aims to spend £40,000 turning it into a private residence A Stonehaven couple turned to the Scottish Government in their bid to replace draughty windows at the grand home they recently bought The matter revolves around the Lochengair property at 62 Arduthie Road In February they sought permission from Aberdeenshire Council for changes seeking to swap timber windows with UPVC replacements who said it “would have a detrimental impact on the character of the traditional dwellinghouse” officials said there wasn’t enough “justification” for replacing them Desperate to carry out the home improvements the pair turned to Holyrood planning chiefs this summer The Scottish Government has the power to overturn decisions made by the local authority An appeal letter states: “Our current windows are original windows mouldy – and all frames are single glazed “The majority of the windows have been painted shut we have to use a window vacuum daily to clear the significant condensation which gathers each night.” They explain that they went for a traditional design with the proposed replacements And the letter explained that the new windows would have a drastic impact on their lives – especially that of asthmatic family members The letter adds: “For us as a family changing to our chosen windows would have a huge benefit to the standard of our lives “Currently in winter we have to have the heating on almost 24 hours per day.” The Scottish Government spent months pondering the proposals planning expert Trudi Craggs was sent out to the Edwardian villa for a site inspection And she has now published her decision on the matter The government official wrote: “Having walked along both sides of Arduthie Road I noted that there was an eclectic mix of properties and varying styles of windows “While the property contributes positively to the special architectural interest of the area … replacing the windows would not in my view adversely affect the overall character or appearance of the area.” she decided there was no good reason to justify the refusal Read about all of the items in this week’s round-up here:  Carden place office plans House plans in west end  Sainsbury’s recycling unit Berryden yoga studio  Peterhead barber opening up Fasque House upgrades  Plans for Turriff house King’s Gate care home Stonehaven windows row Officers have closed Ann Street in Stonehaven due to icy conditions on Friday amid an amber weather warning for snow and ice in the region. Officers have closed Ann Street in Stonehaven due to icy conditions on Friday amid an amber weather warning for snow and ice in the region A Police Scotland statement read: “Ann Street in Stonehaven is closed due to icy conditions on the road and a multi-vehicle crash Hens rescued from the slaughterhouse began their new lives at an event at Cheyne Farmhouse It was the latest in a series of collection days organised by the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) around the UK The trust has rehomed more than a million hens since 2005 If you missed the chance to give a bird a home this time, keep checking the BHWT website to find out about future events There were dozens of hens looking for kindly new owners at Cheyne Farmhouse was there to capture the “hen-tastic” occasion Stonehaven’s Jubilee House dates back to the 18th century built as a sail loft for the town’s fishing fleet just between the seafront boardwalk and across from the historic harbour it was operated as a holiday home for people with disabilities But charity Cornerstone stopped using it a few years ago and Jubilee House was put on the market as a potential Stonehaven dream home this year ASPC listed it for £350,000 hailing the “spacious” property’s location on a “quiet street in the heart of the seaside town” fresh plans have been lodged which indicate the future plans for the building Proposals have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council by Jamie McMillan the director of real estate firms J2M Holdings and Nostaw Ltd Architects CTA Scotland say it “has not been let for a number of years” They explain that Mr McMillan wants to transform it into a two-bedroom home – with an external decking area on the first floor looking out over the bay They add: “This will ensure a redundant building can be brought back in to use as a private dwelling house “The deck area will provide a better outdoor space with fantastic vistas across the bay.” There are also plans to keep a boat and “other related water sport paraphernalia” at the home Work will take place to remove the disabled-friendly guestrooms across the ground fl0or while a lounge will become a study to allow for home working There would be a large open plan kitchen/dining area on the first floor Have a look at the Jubilee House plans for Stonehaven seafront who was one of Stonehaven’s best-known faces It has been said that the town’s harbour “will never be the same” after the loss of the fisherman who took an interest in “everybody and everything” have paid tribute to a “loving” Aberdeenshire grandfather He first took to the sea in October of 1960 on a ship known as the Loyalty after moving from his family’s Glenbervie farm where he was born Ian would go on to take ownership of a succession of boats after the unfortunate sinking of the Loyalty just ten months after its maiden voyage Venturing out with boating partner Ian Shearer they’d affectionately be known as the ‘twa Ians’ over a more-than 50 year career on the water together He became known fondly by many others during his life – whether through his prominent position at the Stonehaven harbour museum or simply by “arresting” passers-by for a lengthy chat while sweeping at the docks They were also blessed with a granddaughter Ian eventually retired – against his will – three years ago he continued to take an interest in all things boating before his death on Sunday has paid tribute to her “hard-working” dad the 48-year-old said Stonehaven had “lost one its characters” at the weekend She said: “I have been seeing what other people have been saying about him after we announcing his passing ‘the Stonehaven story has just lost one of its characters,’ and I think that is true “Everyone knew what a nice chap he was and it’s definitely a loss to a lot of people.” She said she and her siblings had been “blessed” by the life Ian gave them “We were very blessed,” she said “Dad was obviously was really hard-working and was fishing from Monday to Friday “But we were so fortunate in the fact that we never wanted for anything as we couldn’t describe his as an authoritarian at all really “We saw a completely different side of him as well once his granddaughter came along Cuddles and ‘I love yous’ and everything.” She added: “There really wasn’t a bad bone in his body “He was the type of man that if he was annoyed then there was something really wrong “He liked to see the good in everybody.” One of the people who perhaps knew him was his fishing counterpart As well as being his inseparable boat partner Mr Shearer also looked forward to phone-calls from Ian at his home in Gourdon every second night Together they would “to put the world to rights.” the pair went through most things together Mr Shearer was happy to reveal the secret ingredient that made their friendship such a success He said: “We were working together for over 50 years We were together all the time and we got on really well together “He was really friendly with everybody and he took an interest in everybody and everything.” that’s why we worked together so well.” When asked to describe his friend of 50 years he paints a picture of the friendly “people person” from which no-one was safe from a impromptu chat I knew him since I was a young lad.” “We used to do wood-graining together as children – we were only teenagers then “He’s a character of the town that I will sorely miss “He was often out sweeping the boardwalk and the amount of people that he met there was unbelievable “Ian could speak to the whole world.” added: “He was a good ambassador for the town even after he sold his boat up to Fraserburgh three years ago “The harbour will never be the same again and those are getting few and far between.” The court process for a fatal accident inquiry into the Stonehaven rail crash that claimed the lives of three men is to begin next month Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury lost their lives after a ScotRail train derailed at Carmont on August 12 They died after the Glasgow to Aberdeen service hit a landslip after a period of heavy rain The criminal prosecution for the accident saw operator Network Rail fined £6.7 million  last year, after they admitted health and safety failings in the leadup to the crash. Almost £1 million in damages was also secured from Network Rail for seven people affected by it. a new fatal accident inquiry is set to take place It comes after the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) lodged a notice with Aberdeen Sheriff Court to begin proceedings The preliminary hearing will be held there on January 29 2025 The purpose of a fatal accident inquiry is to establish further facts regarding the tragedy It aims to help operators avoid similar incidents in the future Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Christopher Stuchbury Donald Dinnie and Brett McCullough occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern “This has been a highly complex and thorough large-scale investigation The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff “While there has already been a number of lessons learned and industry-wide change made an FAI will examine the full circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths putting all relevant information into the public domain “The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of judicial determination and they will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.” Fire crews have successfully extinguished a grass blaze at Stonehaven this evening The fire was reported at around 6.30pm on Thursday with eyewitnesses saying the fire started on the beach It then spread upwards on the grass slopes near Stonehaven Golf Club along the A92 slip road Video footage showed grey smoke billowing from the embankment as flames spread upwards The crew pumped water across the field from a supply at the road to fight the flames Firefighters then moved across the field in order to battle the fire-affected area from above Smoke was blowing towards the field on to the road causing visibility issues for drivers A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said: “We received a call at 6.30pm in regards to a fire in Cowie “We have mobilised one appliance from Stonehaven “The fire involves grass and gorse with one jet currently in use.” SFRS confirmed the fire has now been extinguished