Thee Carron Art Deco Restaurant - Stonehaven

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History

The Balcony at The Carron

Art Deco

The Carron first opened its doors to the public on the 24th June 1937. Originally it consisted of three shop units (bakers, butchers and grocery shop) on Stonehaven’s Evan Street and a restaurant on Cameron Street accessed via the sunken garden with its crazy paving, semi-circular steps surrounded by flowers and rock plants.
The Art Deco design caused quite a stir at the time and in more recent years it has been hailed as the finest example of an Art Deco building in the north of Scotland
The Carron continued to function as a restaurant until 1968 with a brief closure during World War Two when it was requisitioned by the army.

Throughout its glory years, The Carron became a social centre in Stonehaven hosting a variety of functions. The ladies of Stonehaven used it extensively and, like the Willow rooms in Glasgow; it was instrumental in liberating the women from domestic servitude, providing them with a socially acceptable meeting place.

The Carron ceased to function as a restaurant in 1968, being used as a storage room for the shops, which were then owned by a supermarket chain.

Mystic Lady Mirror at The Carron Art Deco Restaurant, StonehavenRestored to its former glory

The Carron was saved in the late 1990’s by a local Stonehaven businessman Jack Morrison who took up the challenge of restoring it to its original design spending over £1 million in the process.

The original architectural design created by Colonel H.S. Tawse and Mr Mackie of Messrs Tawse & Allan together with internal designer Mr Bowman of Messrs Macdonald & Cresswick of Edinburgh can now be enjoyed by this and future generations in its original Art Deco setting.

Today, The Carron is owned by restaurant proprietor Robert Cleaver, it is recognised as one of the finest examples of Art Deco design in Scotland.

Professor Charles McKean an eminent Scottish architectural historian describes The Carron as "a rare example" and the... "Finest Art Deco patterned glazing surviving in Scotland"

Based on the Art Deco features in the historic liner the Queen Mary, The Carron’s restoration is now complete. The Grade A listed building features some five hundred light bulbs and thousands of tiny glass tiles set within columns, creating a real spectacle for diners.

The stunning 9 ft mirror in the main dining area is also a talking point. Rumour has it that the mirror featuring an abstract naked lady, is a rare example of the work of Pablo Picasso called the Mystic Lady. Its design was considered extremely risqué for its time.

A visit to The Carron Art Deco Restaurant is certainly a unique experience. Exceptional food, friendly service and a glimpse of bygone times, altogether, a memorable dining experience.

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