Mearns Land Management Plan area constitutes three blocks, namely: Fetteresso, Glenfarquhar and Drumtochty. The forest is located to the west of Stonehaven with the area of South Drumtochty most prevalent in the landscape, due to it being observed from both the A90 and East Coast mainline railway.

Areas of Mearns forest suffered from extensive windblow damage during Storm Arwen in November 2021, and the impact of this is still ongoing, as felling operations and restructuring of the forest continues. 

In addition to commercial forestry, there are extensive areas of open ground, and some may be suitable for peatland restoration. Riparian areas, particularly along the Cowie and Bervie form habitat corridors, whilst in the older parts of the forest in North and South Drumtochty there are Plantation on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), and there is potential for enhancement of these areas. Among the wildlife of note is red squirrel, pine martin and newts. There are scheduled monuments in the block along with other national monuments. 

There are several river catchments that the forest feeds into, including those downstream at Auchenblae, Stonehaven and the River Dee.

The forest hosts utility infrastructure from various sectors, ranging from electricity and gas providers to wind farms, and there is potential expansion of some utilities infrastructure during the timespan of this LMP. These proposed developments would require Planning Permission submission by the respective developer, and approval by  Aberdeenshire Council Planning Department.

Timeline

During the development of the land management plan we have consulted with the public, including with local community representatives and stakeholders known to have an interest in the plan area.

The plan was approved on 9 October 2025 and will expire on 9 October 2035. 

Documents and maps

• Mearns LMP text 
  
  
• Map 1 - Location 
• Map 2a - Mearns Issues Glen Farquhar and Drumtochty
• Map 2b - Mearns Issues Fetteresso
• Map 3 - Mearns Context
• Map 4a - Mearns Concept Glenfarquar & Drumtochty
• Map 4b - Mearns Concept Fetteresso
• Map 4c - Mearns Concept Landscape Analysis
• Map 5 - Mearns Current Species
• Map 6 - Mearns Management Coupes
• Map 7 - LISS Coupes
• Map 8 - Thinning Coupes
• Map 9 - Thinning Approvals
• Map 10 - Future Habitats & Species
• Map 11a - Civils - Drumtochty and Glenfarquar
• Map 11b - Civils - Fetteresso
• Map 12 - Haulage
• Map 13a - Auchenblae Flood Risk
• Map 13b -Stonehaven Flood Risk
• Map 14 - Mearns Soils
• Map 15 - Heritage
  
  
• Appendix D1 - Visualisations (available on request)
• Appendix D2 - Stakeholder Engagement
• Appendix D3 - Archaeology
• Appendix D5 - Deer Management Plan