One of the north-east’s most famous natural landmarks is facing an uncertain future as councillors gather to discuss whether it deserves protected status.
Mormond Hill, near Strichen, is visible throughout the region, but local residents have been told its cultural significance is not sufficient to merit extended planning protections.
Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure committee meets today to discuss whether to designate Mormond Hill as a “special landscape” – an area of outstanding natural beauty and significance.
In his report to the committee, local authority infrastructure chief Stephen Archer said: “Other than being a heavily modified hill on the edge of the coastal plain, it is not considered there are any particular attributes or features associated with Mormond Hill that are ‘worthy of recognition.
“[This is] unlike the unspoilt peaks of Mither Tap, the association development has with the river valleys of the Dee, Don or Deveron, or the ‘wild’ sense of place felt at Clachnaben and the Forest of Birse.
“Features of Mormond Hill, such as the White Horse and White Stag geoglyphs would continue to be protected through policies on archaeological sites and monuments.”
Mr Archer added that the land around Mormond Hill was also already protected from wind turbine developments by the council’s existing energy policy.
Councillors will meet at Woodhill House today to consider the inclusion of Mormond Hill on the special landscape list, and to finalise the policy.
Other areas expected to be granted protected status include the north Aberdeenshire coast and the Deveron Valley.
