Sitting on the harbour wall, this 16th-century former prison and excise house is the oldest and most historic building in the Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven. Located on the first floor, Tolbooth Restaurant benefits from its interesting architectural interior such as the uneven one metre thick stone wall and a loading bay door converted into a picture window overlooking the bay. The décor is unpretentious and nicely offset by the display of original paintings by local artists.

The restaurant's style of cuisine is most definitely based on 'letting the fish do the talking'. Being situated at the harbour enables Tolbooth to get daily landings from local boats and this is quickly transferred to a specials board, which is extremely popular amongst diners. Fish does not come much fresher than this. Interesting seafood with well matched accompaniments and light aromatic sauces and dressings which compliment and not mask the rich flavours, are to hand. Strawberry cheesecake cocktail and vanilla and spiced rum crème brûlée are classic 'afters' that never fail.