Local Landscape Areas will protect and celebrate those landscapes within Angus which are special. Following a period of public engagement, a study prepared in 2019 identified four Local Landscape Areas within Angus. Following public consultation, they were formally designated at Communities Committee on 16 April 2024.
The Local Landscape Areas in Angus – Final Report describes the special landscape qualities for each of the four areas and also includes landscape guidance on development and land management. The landscape guidance describes how the landscapes can change to address the twin climate and biodiversity crises without eroding special landscape qualities.
They are protected by policy 4 of National Planning Framework 4 adopted by the Scottish Government on 13 February 2023 will also form part of the next statutory Angus Local Development Plan 2.
A brief description of each of the four areas can be found below.
The Angus Glens
Wild upland plateau incised by glaciated glens, with moorland and birch woods. The Highland Boundary Fault has created an abrupt change from upland to lowland with gorges and waterfalls.
The River South Esk
The sinuous River South Esk linking together a chain of designed landscapes from the edge of the Angus Glens past Brechin Castle to Montrose Basin and including the historic landscapes around Aberlemno.
Sidlaw
The picturesque Lundie Crags together the scenic Kinpurney observatory and the iron age hillforts on both Kinpurney Hill and Auchterhouse Hill.
The Angus Coast
Dramatic rugged cliffs with promontory forts combined majestic sweeping beaches and the magnificent Montrose Basin.