Megray Hill

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Megray Hill is a low-lying coastal mountainous landform in Aberdeenshire, Scotland within the Mounth Range of the Grampian Mountains. [1] The peak elevation of this mountain is 120 metres above mean sea level. This hill has been posited as a likely location for the noted Battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the indigenous Caledonians. [2] [3] The major Roman Camp of Raedykes is situated about three kilometres to the west. From Megray Hill there are expansive views to the North Sea facing east. The summit affords scenic views of the historic harbour of Stonehaven. [4]

Contents

Geology and hydrology

Megray Hill is situated approximately 1.1 kilometers to the north of Stonehaven; surface runoff and drainage from the northern and eastern slopes of Megray Hill flow north to the Burn of Muchalls. Surface runoff from the south flank flows is within the Cowie Water catchment area, the Cowie Water being a very slightly alkaline stream These low pH levels (compared to other area streams) may be caused in part by the peat drainage from the moorland on Meikle Carewe Hill and Curlethney Hill through the tributary Burn of Monboys.

Prehistory

Neolithic traces of civilisation appear on the nearby Kempstone Hill in the form of standing stones. [5]

History

Since the High Middle Ages the ancient drovers' road, the Causey Mounth was used to traverse the journey between Stonehaven and Aberdeen. a portion of this trackway lies on the eastern flank of Megray Hill.

Wind farm proposal

Renewable Energy Resources has an application pending before the Aberdeenshire Council to create a windfarm for electrical power generation using Curlethney Hill, Meikle Carewe Hill (hills slightly to the west of Megray Hill to install 12 wind turbines. Each turbine would reach a height of 70 metres above grade level, and the entire complex could generate enough power to supply the equivalent of 5000 homes. Environmental concerns over the proposal include noise pollution, visual impact [6] and ecological disturbance.

See also

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The Fetteresso Forest is a woodland that is principally coniferous situated in the Mounth range of the Grampian Mountains in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The forest has a number of prominent mountain peaks including the Hill of Blacklodge and Craiginour peak. A good overlook for viewing the forest from the north side lies on an unnamed tarmack road which leads north from the Slug Road to the Raedykes Roman site. The Cowie Water flows through and drains much of the forest. To the north of the easternmost part of the forest is the archaeological site Raedykes Roman Camp, as well as Cowton Burn. The Slug Road runs along much of the northeast perimeter of Fetteresso Forest.

Saddle Hill (Aberdeenshire)

Saddle Hill is a low lying mountain in eastern Aberdeenshire, Scotland within the Mounth Range of the Grampian Mountains. Its peak is 241 metres (791 ft) above mean sea level. This hill is immediately north of the Roman camp of Raedykes. From Saddle Hill there are expansive views to the North Sea facing east and the valley of the Burn of Monboys to the east and southeast.

Durris Forest

Durris Forest is a chiefly coniferous forest south of the River Dee approximately three kilometres west of Netherley in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The A957 road forms the southwest boundary of Durris Forest, separating it from Fetteresso Forest. The Durris Forest includes several smaller named woodlands. The ancient route of Elsick Mounth crosses the Grampian Mounth within the Durris Forest. Notable natural features in the vicinity include Red Moss and Meikle Carewe Hill. Notable historic features in this area include Raedykes Roman Camp, Muchalls Castle and Maryculter House.

Cookney Church

Cookney Parish Church, now business premises within a converted listed building, was a Christian place of worship in the village of Cookney, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The Hill of Muchalls is a coastal mountainous landform situated approximately 1.4 kilometres west of the Bridge of Muchalls in Aberdeenshire, Scotland within the Mounth Range of the Grampian Mountains. The peak elevation of this mountain is 120 metres above mean sea level. From Megray Hill there are expansive views to the North Sea facing east. The summit affords scenic vies of the historic harbour of Stonehaven.

Elsick Mounth

The Elsick Mounth is an ancient trackway crossing the Grampian Mountains in the vicinity of Netherley, Scotland. This trackway was one of the few means of traversing the Grampian Mounth area in prehistoric and medieval times. The highest pass of the route is attained within the Durris Forest. Notable historical structures in the vicinity are Maryculter House, Lairhillock Inn and Muchalls Castle. Most of the lands through which the Elsick Mounth passes are within the Durris Forest; while this forest would have been a mixed deciduous forest in ancient times, currently it is managed as a coniferous monoculture with extensive amounts of clearfelling and subsequent replanting.

Limpet Burn is a watercourse in Aberdeenshire, Scotland whose discharge is deemed part of the North Sea coastal drainage. Prominent geographic features in the vicinity of Limpet Burn are Megray Hill and Kempstone Hill. Notable buildings in proximity to Limpet Burn are Ury House, Muchalls Castle and Chapel of St. Mary and St. Nathalan. Part of the watershed of Limpet Burn has been suggested by some as the site of the first recorded battle in the history of Scotland, the Battle of Mons Graupius.

References

  1. United Kingdom Ordnance Survey Map Landranger 45, Stonehaven and Banchory, 1:50,000 scale, 2004
  2. Archibald Watt, Highways and Byways Round Stonehaven, Gourdas House Publishers, Aberdeen (1984)
  3. C. Michael Hogan, Elsick Mounth, Megalithic Portal, ed A. Burnham
  4. Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Environmental Assessment, Aberdeenshire Council (Megray characteristics)
  5. Ancient Scotland: Kempstone Hill
  6. Meikle Carewe Windfarm Action Group website Archived 2007-12-12 at the Wayback Machine

Coordinates: 56°59′13″N2°12′04″W / 56.9869°N 2.2011°W / 56.9869; -2.2011