Kempstone Hill is situated approximately 2.3 kilometers to the north of Stonehaven; surface runoff and drainage from the northern and eastern slopes of Kempstone Hill flow north to the Burn of Muchalls. Surface runoff from the south and west flanks flow to the Burn of Monboys, 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. To the south the terrain falls rather sharply descending to Limpet Burn, which watercourse flows to the North Sea.[5] The riparianwoodland along Limpet Burn has been classified as high value habitat by the Aberdeenshire Council.[5]
Prehistory
Neolithic traces of civilisation appear on the hill in the form of standing stones.[6] Kemp-stane is Scots to describe prehistoric megalithic structures such as these.[7] Kemp-stane Hill was written in the 18th century.[8]
Wind farm proposal
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(July 2022)
As of July 2007[update], Renewable Energy Resources had 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 Kempstone 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 included noise pollution, visual impact[9] and ecological disturbance.
^Sir John Sinclair, The statistical account of Scotland: Drawn up from the communications of the ministers of the different parishes, Volume 12, W. Creech, (1794)