ABSTRACT
This difference in attitude is key to understanding the Caledonian landscape. The sea has to be our field of view to give the appropriate sense and strength of landmarks, many of which are not immediately obvious. Bennachie is an endowed landmark, but so too, are apparently others, such as the valley of the Ugie from Peterhead, including New Deer, and Aikey Brae. Coasts, inlets of rivers, valleys, headlands, landmarks, ‘places’ of importance signified by art…these are the typical major elements of landscapes. One is tempted, perhaps, to add the embellishment provided by surviving woodland in an otherwise open country, as at ancient Greek sites. That carries us away too far, to other tropes, and there is presently little evidence for it.
