Published September 2016
TAY 1A Upper Highland Glen (outside National Park)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, but with high sides. Solar PV development may introduce new human scale elements. Low/Medium |
| Landform | Steep sides enclosing flat or narrow valley floor. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Irregular. Relatively few boundaries or other pattern features. Dominated by landform. High |
| Development | Low to minimal development: tracks, occasional roads and houses. Small farmland areas. Medium/High |
| Quality | Most areas relatively natural and unaffected by development. A sense of wildness. High |
| Elements and Features | Dominated by landform features. Occasional farms and houses. Trackways. Occasional fields and forestry. Medium/High |
| Context | Glens form part of the highland backdrop to Angus and are the main access into the National Park. High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Minimal number of residential receptors. Main receptors are recreational visitors to highlands and National Park. High |
| Internal Visibility | Corridor views/ vistas and slightly wider visibility from upper valley sides. Medium |
| External Visibility | Only visible from Mid Highland Glens and Highland Summits and Plateaux. Medium/Low |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | No landscape designations although adjacent to National Park and NSA. Other designations include occasional listed buildings and SAMs. Cateran Trail in Glen Isla. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Used by visitors and local population for outdoor recreation or access to highland summit areas. High |
| Cultural Value | The Angus Glens are a key landscape feature of the local authority area. Former routes into/across Highlands. Occasional castles and hunting lodges. High |
| Perceptual | Tranquil, with a low level of development, elements of wildness and highly scenic views. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | High |
TAY 1B Mid Highland Glens (outside National Park)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium to small, but with high sides. Medium |
| Landform | Steep sides enclosing flat or narrow valley floor. Medium |
| Pattern | Variable, dominated by landform but areas of flatter valley floors have field and woodland. Fields are predominantly pasture but with some arable. Medium/High |
| Development | Some development. Scattered farms/ dwellings along valley floors, becoming less developed higher up towards the upper glens. Medium |
| Quality | Many areas relatively natural and unaffected by development. Settled areas generally in scale and harmony with rural glen setting. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Dominated by landform features. Clusters of dwellings, farms and isolated houses in valley floor areas. Fields on valley floor and lower sides. Extensive broadleaved woodland and conifer plantations. Medium/High |
| Context | Glens form part of the backdrop to Angus and are the main access into the highland area. High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Low number residential receptors. Main receptors are recreational visitors to highlands and National Park. High |
| Internal Visibility | Corridor views/ vistas and slightly wider visibility from upper valley sides. Lower ground overlooked from valley sides. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Mainly visible from Upper Highland Glens and Highland Summits and Plateaux but lower sections extensively visible from lowland areas to the south. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Designations | No landscape designations although adjacent to National Park. Other designations include HGDL in Glens Isla and Clova, occasional SAMs, Many listed buildings. Cateran Trail in Glen Isla. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Used by visitors and local population for outdoor recreation or access to highland summit areas. Visitor attractions. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | The Angus Glens are a key landscape feature of the local authority area. Former routes into/across Highlands. Castles, hunting lodges and estate policies. High |
| Perceptual | Tranquil, with a balanced rural character, transitional between settled and wilder areas with highly scenic views. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 3 Highland Summits and Plateaux (outside National Park)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Large but with high sides. Solar PV development may introduce new human scape elements. Medium/High |
| Landform | Rolling but often steep-sided hills of moderate elevation with occasional crags, steep corries, burns in gullies, folds or narrow upper glens. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Irregular patterns of heather, grassland and forestry, relating to landform. No field boundaries. High |
| Development | Little evidence of built development. Tracks, paths and occasional forestry. Medium/High |
| Quality | Generally well maintained/natural upland of heather with occasional planted forest. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Landform and vegetation cover is dominant. Few manmade features, boundaries etc. Medium/High |
| Context | These uplands border the mountains of the National Park and contain the Angus Glens. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/ High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Outdoor recreation receptors. Low population of residential receptors within or adjacent. Visible at distance from a wider area including a number of larger settlements and main transport routes. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Extensive views across the type from the summits and ridges, but restricted in narrow valley and drainage landforms. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Generally very conspicuous backdrop from lowland areas to the south within and beyond Angus. Any tall objects would also be highly visible from higher ground to the north. High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/ High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | No landscape designations and few other designations but adjacent to National Park. Medium |
| Community Value | Important for outdoor recreation and access to higher summits to the north. A resource for sporting estates. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | A setting to the Angus Glens. Some well known viewpoints. Medium |
| Perceptual | An open landscape with panoramic views and a sense of remoteness and wildness. Forming backdrop to lowland areas and foreground to National Park mountains. Enclosing skyline to many Angus Glens Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 5 Highland Foothills
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium with some small-scale areas. Low/Medium |
| Landform | Varied. Rolling and steep hills above undulating lower ground and narrow valleys. Burns often in gullies, folds or narrow glens. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Varied pattern from open hills to enclosed pasture farmland and shelterbelts. Medium/High |
| Development | Lack of larger settlements. Development limited to farms, isolated houses, steadings, small villages, minor roads. All areas traversed by a high voltage electricity line. Medium |
| Quality | Generally well maintained farmland and estate land. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Attractive hamlets, large houses/castles, woodland copses, hillforts, electricity transmission line. Field and road boundaries often have walls and hedges. Medium/High |
| Context | A transitional landscape marking the Highland boundary fault, separating the uplands of the Mounth from Strathmore. ‘Gateway’ to Angus Glens. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Local population of residential receptors and travellers. More distant residential and travelling population in adjacent lowlands, Walkers, visitors to locations of interest. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Varied visibility; between panoramic views from hilltops to narrow vistas from small glens. Medium |
| External Visibility | Generally quite visible from areas of population and transport corridors. Visible to receptors travelling to/from the Angus Glens. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
Landscape Value
| Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | No landscape designations. Many ancient woodlands and several SAMs (mainly settlements and hillforts) Medium/High |
| Community Value | Areas used by local residential population and visitors for informal recreation. Sites of historic/ archaeological/ natural history interest. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | Significant number of locations of archaeological/ historic interest including Caterthuns, Edzell Castle, Balintore Castle. Medium/High |
| Perceptual | Deeply rural landscape of highly varied interest and many attractive settings and views. Forms a ‘gateway’ to the Angus Glens. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 8 Igneous Hills
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium with some larger scale. Low |
| Landform | Rolling or conical hills and valleys of variable form. Occasional outcrops. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Diverse but typically higher ground is open and the lower areas with rectilinear patterns of medium-large scale fields and shelterbelts. Fields are predominantly pasture but with some arable on lower slopes and to the east. Medium/High |
| Development | Varies between areas of low development in some of the hills to lower farmland areas with settlements main roads, pylons and other infrastructure. Wind turbines and transmitter masts on some hills. Medium |
| Quality | Well managed open and enclosed farmland. Heather Moor variably managed with some areas reverting to scrub. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Plantations, tree belts in lower areas. Transmitter towers, wind turbines (Ark Hill and Scotston). Electricity transmission lines. Medium |
| Context | The Sidlaws form a backdrop to Dundee and the Firth of Tay and divide the lowland farming areas of Angus and Perthshire. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Residential and travelling receptors within the LCA and surrounding areas. Outdoor recreational receptors on the hills. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Extensive views from ridges and summits. More restricted views from valleys. Medium |
| External Visibility | Visible as a skyline landform from surrounding lower areas. Southern and eastern slopes particularly sensitive to views from large population but lower landforms well screened from surroundings. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | No landscape designations. Some SSSIs. Kinpurney/ Auchterhouse Hill Forts. Medium |
| Community Value | Areas used by local residential population for informal recreation. Viewpoints and footpaths. Medium |
| Cultural Value | Some archaeological/ historic interest including hillforts and cairns on summits and small castles on the periphery. Medium |
| Perceptual | Varied hill and farmland landscape forming backdrop to Dundee and the Tay, with some development of transmission towers windfarm. Open, but with little feeling of remoteness or naturalness. Medium/Low |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 10 Broad Valley Lowland
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, although overall scale of valley is very large. Low |
| Landform | Generally a simple, gently sloping or flat valley form but with areas of more complex fluvioglacial landform. Medium/Low |
| Pattern | Open, simple, regular large arable fields with variable field boundaries, predominantly post and wire fences. A network of shelterbelts and plantations although more open to the west. Low |
| Development | Well settled landscape with small towns, villages and a significant density of farms and houses. Areas crossed by major roads and a network of minor roads Medium/Low |
| Quality | Farmland intensively managed. Generally a well managed landscape although hedgerows/ trees are declining with expanded field sizes/ lack of management. Some sand and gravel quarrying and peri-urban landscapes detract. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Typical lowland farmland features together with roads and settlements. Tree/hedgerow boundaries to many fields but also low wall and post and wire. Generally arable occasionally with poly-tunnels and agricultural fleece. A number of large houses/ castles and designed landscapes including Glamis Castle. Electricity lines and some wind turbines. Medium |
| Context | Mid section of a vast lowland valley stretching from the River Tay in the southwest to Howe of the Mearns in the northeast, set between the Highland Boundary and volcanic hills to the south. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Significant population of residential and transport receptors throughout. Visitors to attractions such as Glamis/ Kirriemuir. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Wide open views across the valley and long distance views along it. Screening by shelterbelts and landforms from lower parts of the valley in some areas. Low/Medium |
| External Visibility | Views over valley from all higher surrounding areas. Sensitivity increases closest to higher ground. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Some significant designed landscapes. Many SAMs and listed buildings. Ancient Woodlands and SSSIs. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Setting and recreational amenity for a number of settlements and residents as well as visitor locations. Many core paths. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | Designations reflect a rich past history of settlement and activity. Literary associations include JM Barrie. Medium/High |
| Perceptual | A settled, developed, active landscape with roads, buildings and large agricultural enterprises, although there are also many tranquil spots. Medium/Low |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 12(i) Low Moorland Hills (Forfar Hills)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with some smaller scale areas on hills. Low |
| Landform | A series of east-west ridges rising above more gently undulating farmland, with steep slopes and outcrops in places. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Variable, with lower angled areas having rectangular medium/large field patterns and hills and steeper slopes with smaller, broken patterns rising to open pasture. Mixture of arable and pasture with the latter becoming more common on higher ground. Medium |
| Development | Small settlements, scattered houses and farms. A network of mainly small roads. Medium |
| Quality | Managed farmland and open hilltops. Scenic areas within the hills. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Varied. Dense network of small roads, tracks, farms, houses and cottages. Hillforts and standing stones. Stone wall and hedge field boundaries. Small lochs between some hills. Electricity lines and telecommunications towers on some hills are detractors. Medium/High |
| Context | Several distinctive hilltops provide views across surrounding farmland area which merges into the Dipslope Farmland and Strathmore. Hills provide a backdrop to Strathmore and Forfar. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate to high population of residential and travelling receptors within area and close by. Hills visible from wider areas. Some visitors to hilltops, lochs etc. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Fairly open landscape in which development is widely visible. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Hills widely visible from surrounding areas but lower ground between hills less so. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
Landscape Value
| Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Hillfort and standing stone SAMs. SSSI Lochs. Small areas of inventory ancient woodland. Medium |
| Community Value | Informal recreation for local people and visitors. Network of footpaths and several viewpoints. Medium |
| Cultural Value | Hillforts, crosses (Aberlemno) and standing stones of historic interest. Viewpoint on Balmashanner Hill. Some estates with listed buildings. Medium |
| Perceptual | A varied rural landscape with distinctive hilltop views and relatively little development. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 12(ii) Low Moorland Hills (Montreathmont Moor)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium to large, with smaller scale domestic reference features in farmland areas. Low |
| Landform | Undulating and gently rising to the north and west before sloping steeply down to Strathmore. Medium |
| Pattern | Predominantly medium/large rectilinear patterns of fields and forestry. Arable rectilinear field pattern. Medium/Low |
| Development | Small settlements, scattered houses and farms. A network of mainly small roads. Forestry area largely undeveloped. Medium |
| Quality | Managed farmland and forest. Deterioration in field boundaries. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Mainly arable farmland and mature forestry with intermittent stone wall and hedge field boundaries. Network of small roads, tracks, farms, houses and cottages in farmland area. Montreathmont forest is distinctive. Medium |
| Context | Elevated lowland farming area between Forfar Hills and Montrose Basin set between other lowland areas. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium/Low |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate population of residential receptors. Some visitors to forest area. Network of mainly minor roads. Medium |
| Internal Visibility | Fairly open landscape, although Montreathmont forest provides significant screening across the centre. Medium |
| External Visibility | Edges visible from surrounding lower areas but central forest area mainly visible from higher ground including nearby hills and Rossie Moor. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Montreathmont forest is in ancient woodland inventory. Medium |
| Community Value | Network of forest paths provides informal recreation for local people and visitors. Medium |
| Cultural Value | Little of note. Melgund Castle. Some listed buildings. Medium/Low |
| Perceptual | A typical rural arable landscape with a distinctive large lowland forest that offers a sense of tranquillity and naturalness. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 13 Dipslope Farmland (Overall Assessment)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with some larger scale areas on highest ground but also with smaller domestic scale features. Medium |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, with a north-south dip towards the sea and steeper northern slopes above Montrose Basin. Medium |
| Pattern | Large or medium rectilinear arable fields, woodland blocks, broken by watercourses on lower ground. Occasional open uncultivated areas on higher ground (e.g. Rossie Moor) or where field boundaries have been removed. Medium |
| Development | Bordering urban areas (Dundee, Carnoustie, Arbroath). Occasional villages and scattered hamlets, farms and houses. Main roads, railway line and a network of smaller roads. Disused quarries and airfields. Medium |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with some areas of unimproved land and woodland and some areas of former mineral extraction. Areas of well-maintained designed landscape. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates. Scattered settlement dispersed throughout. Occasional large houses and policies. Large farm buildings. Electricity pylons. Medium |
| Context | A large slightly elevated lowland farmland area set between igneous hills, Dundee and the North Sea. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
Visual Sensitivity
| Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate number of both travelling and residential receptors. Medium |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open views from higher areas, with some lower valley areas more restricted. Tree cover in the west restricts views. Development may sometimes be prominent at a distance. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Varied. Few areas are prominent when seen from surroundings although the areas north and east of Dundee are potentially visible from a large population and Rossie Moor is visible from surrounding lower ground. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Designed landscapes at Pitmuies, Guthrie and Guynd. Large areas of SAMs along Lunan Water and Bay area. SSSIs. Scattered ancient woodland. Two country parks at Crombie and Monikie. Medium |
| Community Value | Setting to a number of settlements. Country parks, Golf Course, Medium |
| Cultural Value | Policy woodlands, SAMs. Castles. Medium |
| Perceptual | A vast area of open, intensively managed agricultural land with areas of more sheltered and intimate landscape in shallow valleys, settlements, designed landscapes and country parks. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 13(i) Dipslope Farmland (Dundee/ Tealing)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, but also with smaller domestic scale features. Low |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, falling south and east from the Sidlaw Hills towards Dundee and the Firth of Tay. Medium |
| Pattern | Large or medium rectilinear arable fields, woodland blocks, broken by occasional watercourses on lower ground. Low |
| Development | Bordering urban area of Dundee although city screened. Villages and scattered hamlets, farms and houses. Main roads and a network of smaller roads. Disused airfield. Large electricity substation. Medium |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with woodland areas. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates. Scattered settlement dispersed throughout. Large farm buildings. Golf courses. Quarry. Several electricity transmission lines. Occasional wind turbines. Medium |
| Context | A settled area of elevated lowland arable farmland area set between the Sidlaw hills and Dundee. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate number of both travelling and residential receptors. Close to Dundee (although southern edge is a screening ridge). Overlooked by walkers/ viewpoints on Sidlaw Hills Medium |
| Internal Visibility | Mainly open with small woodlands partially screening views. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Limited. Although overlooked by Sidlaws they screen views from further north and west. Although close to Dundee views from the city are limited by containing landform. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
Landscape Value
| Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Small areas of inventory ancient woodland. Occasional SAMs. Listed buildings Medium |
| Community Value | Setting to a number of small settlements and backdrop to Dundee. Adjacent country parks in Dundee. Forest access land. Golf Course. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | No notable features. Some SAMs and listed buildings. Medium/Low |
| Perceptual | An area of open, intensively managed agricultural land with a number of settlements forming a hinterland to Dundee and rising into the Sidlaw Hills. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 13(ii) Dipslope Farmland (Monikie/ Crombie)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with some smaller scale areas and features associated with villages and country parks and larger open areas to the north. Low |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, with a north-south dip towards the sea. Medium/Low |
| Pattern | Medium rectilinear arable fields broken up by woodlands. Occasional open uncultivated areas on higher ground. Low/Medium |
| Development | Bordering urban areas in south (Monifieth, Carnoustie). Occasional villages and scattered hamlets, farms and houses. Less populated in the north. Main road in south and a network of smaller roads. Medium/High |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with some areas of unimproved land and significant areas of well maintained recreational and designed landscape. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates but also significant areas of country parks and estate policies (Panmure house demolished in 1950s). Settlement dispersed throughout. Large farm buildings. Electricity pylons. Medium/High |
| Context | A slightly elevated arable farmland area close to Dundee with significant areas of enclosure and recreational landscapes. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | High number of both travelling and residential receptors within or nearby. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open views from higher and treeless areas to N and S. Tree cover restricts views elsewhere. Medium |
| External Visibility | Varied. Few areas are prominent when seen from surroundings although overlooked by higher ground to N and E and from edge of Dundee. Visible as backdrop from coast. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Two country parks at Crombie and Monikie. Inventory ancient woodland at Panmure estate. Some SAMs and listed buildings associated with estates. National Trust site at Barry Mill. Peat bog SSSI. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Setting to a number of settlements. Two country parks. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | Panmure estate and a number of SAMs. Medium |
| Perceptual | A varied area of farmland close to Dundee with a number of settlements significant enclosed areas of mature woodland including two country parks and a relict estate landscape. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 13(iii) Dipslope Farmland (Redford Farmland)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with some larger scale areas on highest ground where field boundaries are removed and trees are few. Also smaller domestic scale features. Low |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, with a NW-SE dip towards the sea and lower farmland. Medium/Low |
| Pattern | Large or medium rectilinear arable fields, many where field boundaries have been removed. Occasional woodland blocks. Medium |
| Development | Scattered hamlets, farms and houses. Main roads and a network of smaller roads. Disused quarries. Low/Medium |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with declining field boundaries, some areas of woodland and some former mineral extraction. Area of well maintained designed landscape. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland with intermittent boundaries predominates. Scattered minor settlement dispersed throughout. Large house and policies at Guynd. Large farm buildings. Electricity pylons. Medium |
| Context | A large, intensively managed elevated arable farmland area set above the North Sea and surrounded by similar farmland. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate number of travelling and low number of residential receptors. Medium/Low |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open views, although tree cover around Guynd restricts views. Development can be prominent at a distance. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Varied. Few areas are prominent when seen from surroundings, but often forming a low horizon. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Designed landscape at Guynd. Some SAMs and listed buildings. Little inventory ancient woodland. Medium |
| Community Value | Setting to small settlements and houses. Medium/ Low |
| Cultural Value | House and designed landscape at Guynd. A few SAMs and listed buildings. Medium |
| Perceptual | An area of open, intensively managed arable land with few features and limited areas of more sheltered and intimate landscape. Medium/Low |
| Overall Rating | Medium/Low |
TAY 13(iv) Dipslope Farmland (Letham/ Lunan Water/ Arbroath)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with many smaller scale areas/ features associated with settlements and watercourses. Low |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, shallow and sometimes indistinct valley sides, and often flat valley floors gradually descending to the North Sea coast. Medium |
| Pattern | Medium rectilinear arable fields, woodland blocks, broken by watercourses on lower ground. Low |
| Development | Bordering or containing urban areas/ villages (Arbroath, Letham, Friockheim). Hamlets, farms and houses. Main roads, railway line and a network of smaller roads. Golf course. Disused quarries and airfields. Medium/High |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with some areas of woodland and some areas of former mineral extraction. Areas of well maintained designed landscape and golf course. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates. Mixture of stone walls, post and wire fences and open field edges. Areas of poly-tunnels. Watercourses. Settlement dispersed throughout. Main roads often following valley and linking settlements. Network of minor roads. Large farm buildings. Occasional wind turbines. Medium |
| Context | A settled, lowland, arable farmland area situated mainly in shallow valleys and often sheltered by areas of higher farmland. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate to high number of both travelling and residential receptors. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open mid-distance views, although tree cover restricts views in many locations. Large areas of development can be prominent at a distance. Medium |
| External Visibility | Varied but some parts are less visible than surrounding Dipslope Farmland areas. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Designed landscapes at Pitmuies and Guthrie. Large areas of SAMs along Lunan Water and Bay area. Significant numbers of listed buildings. Scattered inventory of ancient woodland. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Setting and travel routes to a number of settlements. Golf Course. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | Designed landscapes, SAMs and listed buildings. Medium/High |
| Perceptual | An area of intensively managed agricultural land with areas of more sheltered and intimate landscape in shallow valleys, settlements and designed landscapes. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 13(v) Dipslope Farmland (Ethie)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium but also with smaller domestic scale features in more sheltered and woodland/ plantation areas. Fairly limited extent. Low |
| Landform | Gently rolling or undulating, falling inland to shallow valleys and towards the sea. Low/Medium |
| Pattern | Large or medium rectilinear arable fields with poly-tunnels and woodland blocks, broken by watercourses on lower ground. Low/Medium |
| Development | Occasional farms and houses. Main road and railway line and a network of smaller roads. Medium |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with small areas of estate policies/ plantation woodland. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates with poly-tunnels locally common. Low stone walls towards the sea but more mixed boundaries including hedges inland. Scattered houses dispersed throughout including large listed houses/ castles which are now hotels. Large farm buildings. Communications masts. Medium/High |
| Context | A slightly elevated lowland farmland area set above Arbroath and surrounding shallow valleys and exposed to the North Sea, but with more intimate and sheltered inland areas. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate number of both travelling and residential receptors within or nearby. Coastal walkers and cycleway. Guests at hotels. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open exposed views from higher areas, with some lower areas more restricted. Tree cover further inland restricts views. Development can be prominent at a distance. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Mainly visible at close or middle distance from surrounding farmland and coastal areas. Development would be fairly widely visible. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Scattered inventory ancient woodland. Occasional SAMs and a number of listed buildings. Medium |
| Community Value | Background setting to Arbroath. Cycle route. Medium/Low |
| Cultural Value | Large houses/ castle and policy woodlands, SAMs. Medium |
| Perceptual | A small area of open, intensively managed agricultural land elevated above its surroundings and exposed to the North Sea coast, with areas of more sheltered and intimate landscape in small estate landscapes. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 13(vi) Dipslope Farmland (Rossie Moor)
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with some larger scale areas on highest ground but also with smaller domestic scale features. Low |
| Landform | Rolling or undulating. A broad hill with a south and east dip towards the sea and the Lunan Water and steeper northern slopes above Montrose Basin. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Large or medium rectilinear arable fields often with boundaries removed, woodland blocks, broken by watercourses on lower ground. Open uncultivated area on higher ground at Rossie Moor. Medium/High |
| Development | No villages. Scattered hamlets, farms and houses. Main road, railway line in east. Sparse network of smaller roads in west. Medium |
| Quality | Intensively managed agricultural landscape with varied field boundaries, some areas of natural moorland and woodland and a quarry. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Arable farmland predominates. Scattered small settlement throughout. Occasional castle/ large houses and policies. Rossie school. Large farm buildings. Communications mast. Medium |
| Context | A large elevated lowland farmland area set between Montrose Basin, Lunan Water and the North Sea. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate number of travelling and residential receptors. Coastal walkers and cycle route nearby. Medium |
| Internal Visibility | Generally open views. Tree cover and landform restricts views in places. Development can be prominent at a distance. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Generally visible and sometimes prominent from surrounding lower ground and further afield. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Designed landscape at Dunninald Castle. SSSI at Rossie Moor. Grade A listed buildings at Braikie and Dunninald. Scattered inventory ancient woodland. Medium |
| Community Value | Walks across Rossie Moor and adjacent woodlands. Cycle route. Medium |
| Cultural Value | Two castles. Designed landscape. Medium |
| Perceptual | A large area of open, intensively managed agricultural land and scattered houses, with a small area of more natural moorland landscape. Forms a backdrop to Montrose Basin and town. Unfrequented in the west but transport corridors pass through the east. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
TAY 14a Coast with Sand
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with smaller scale features. Generally limited in area. Low |
| Landform | Flat, open, low lying, with mature dunes and small escarpments. Medium |
| Pattern | Predominantly simple but varied between regular pattern in cultivated farmland areas, linear pattern in beach areas, organic pattern in golf courses and irregular pattern in dunes. Medium/High |
| Development | Varies between influence of adjacent urban margins to occasional isolated hamlets and houses. Roads (mainly minor) and railway. One small fishing village. Golf courses. Medium |
| Quality | Varied. Generally scenic due to open sea views. Often intensively managed (golf courses and arable farming). In places character is compromised by adjacent urban development. Medium |
| Elements and Features | Sandy beaches and mature dunes. Flatness and open sea views. Golf courses. Former WW2 airstrips and defences (current military range at Barry Budden) Medium/High |
| Context | Mainly a narrow strip between farmland, settlements and the sea. Sometimes indistinct transition into inland farmland areas. Medium |
| Overall Rating | Medium |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Low population of residential receptors with greater numbers immediately adjacent. Travelling population on road and rail. Cyclists. Beachwalkers and golfers. Sailors and Kayakers. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Wide open views with some local restrictions due to dunes/ landforms and occasional blocks of trees at Barry Budden and Montrose. Development can be prominent in this landscape type. High |
| External Visibility | Visible from adjacent higher ground and urban areas. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
Landscape Value
| Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | SSSI and SAC at Barry Budden and SSSI north of Montrose. SAMs at Lunan Bay. Medium |
| Community Value | Setting for local residents in houses/ villages. Most areas easily accessible from neighbouring settlements and holiday caravan parks for formal and informal recreation. Golf courses. Cycle routes. Beach walks. High |
| Cultural Value | Historic/ attractive villages. Some locations of archaeological/ historic interest. Medium |
| Perceptual | Windswept coastal strips with accessible sandy beaches and hinterland which whilst undramatic in landform provide tranquillity, recreational access and open views. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 14b Coast with Cliffs
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium, with smaller scale features (cliffs generally up to 30m but escarpments up to 80m). Generally limited in area. Low |
| Landform | Gently sloping with small rocky cliffs, rocky reefs, bays, inlets and rocky escarpments. Medium/High |
| Pattern | Varied between regular pattern in arable farmland areas with areas of poly-tunnels to complex and irregular pattern in rocky cliff areas. Medium/High |
| Development | Varies between influence of adjacent urban margins to occasional isolated hamlets and houses and stretches with no settlement/ roads. A number of small fishing villages/ havens and harbours. Roads (mainly minor) and railway. Golf courses. Medium/High |
| Quality | Varied. Generally scenic due to open sea views and cliff landforms. Hinterland often intensively managed (arable farming). In places character is compromised by adjacent urban development. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Rocky outcrops and cliffs characterised by very varied eroded form with many caves, arches and small stacks/ outcrops. Small coves, havens and harbours. Lighthouse at Scurdie Ness. Open and distant sea views. Medium/High |
| Context | A narrow strip between farmland, settlements and the sea but with dramatic elevated views and considerable detail and interest. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels
|
|---|---|
| Receptors | Low population of residential receptors with greater numbers immediately adjacent. Travelling population on road and rail. Cyclists and walkers. Sailors and Kayakers. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Wide open views. Development can be prominent in this landscape type. High |
| External Visibility | Visible from adjacent urban areas, hinterland, sandy coastline and other headlands. Development can be prominent along the coastal strip. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | SSSI along most lengths of rocky coast. Medium/High |
| Community Value | Setting for local residents in houses/ villages. Most areas easily accessible from neighbouring settlements and holiday caravan parks for formal and informal recreation. Cycle routes. Clifftop walks. High |
| Cultural Value | Historic/ attractive fishing villages. Some locations of archaeological/ historic interest including clifftop forts and castles. Medium |
| Perceptual | Windswept coastal strips with accessible clifftop walks and secluded beaches/ havens providing tranquillity, dramatic interest, recreational access and open views. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
TAY 15 Lowland Loch Basin
| Landscape Character Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Scale | Medium to large. Medium/Low |
| Landform | Flat, open, low lying tidal basin and farmland contained by surrounding higher areas of farmland. Small scale steep slopes on raised beaches and river embankments Medium |
| Pattern | Varied. Open, large-scale basin to E. Rectilinear arable fields to W and more organic patterns within Kinnaird deer park. Low/Medium |
| Development | Montrose to E of basin, otherwise small hamlets and scattered farms/ houses. Fringed by main roads, crossed by minor roads, railways Medium |
| Quality | Well managed farmland. Estate policies. Basin managed for wildlife. Attractive rural settlements. Medium/High |
| Elements and Features | Tidal basin is unique in Scotland. Shorelines, mudflats and tidal watercourses. Rich natural heritage. Arable farmland with mature deciduous/mixed woodlands, avenue trees, hedges. Town of Montrose. Attractive hamlets. Kinnaird House and deer park. Medium/ High |
| Context | Generally lowland surroundings. Unique basin provides a setting for Montrose. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Visual Sensitivity | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Receptors | Moderate/ high number of residential receptors as overlooked by Montrose in addition to small settlements. Significant travelling population along peripheral main roads. Visitors to attractions including wildlife centre, House of Dun, Montrose. Medium/High |
| Internal Visibility | Clear inter-visibility within basin area but some screening by trees in western part. Medium/High |
| External Visibility | Overlooked from higher surrounding areas to north and south, but screened from a distance. As a result, development would be prominent in this type. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |
| Landscape Value | Criteria/ Sensitivity Levels |
|---|---|
| Designations | Basin is a SSSI. HGDLs and listed buildings at Kinnaird castle and House of Dun (adjacent). Medium/High |
| Community Value | Areas used by local residential population and visitors for formal/informal recreation. Visitor attractions including SWT visitor centre, Caledonian railway. Medium/High |
| Cultural Value | HGDLs. Some SAMs. Caledonian Railway. Historic town of Montrose Medium/High |
| Perceptual | A unique tidal basin feature with water and sky reflections, set in a wider lowland farmland landscape. Provides a setting for the town of Montrose. Hinterland of well-managed farmland, mature trees and attractive hamlets and houses. Medium/High |
| Overall Rating | Medium/High |