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