The scale of local damage from the heavy rainfall during the festive period shocked community councillors in Newtonhill when they were told the details at their last meeting. 

Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council heard of damage to properties throughout the area. 

In Newtonhill, one house was devastated after the Elsick burn ran through the lower floors, washed away paths, undermined garage foundations, and knocked over walls. The owner has had to move out until major repairs are carried out. 

Two bridges at Newtonhill beach have been affected with the supports being eroded by the volume of water from the Elsick Burn. One bridge is no longer in place. 

Power and water supplies to houses were interrupted as the burn became so swollen that it burst its banks in various places. Parts of the valley slopes became unstable, causing landslides. 

A right of way from Newtonhill to Cammachmore going past the Mill of Elsick has been closed by Aberdeenshire Council after the burn swept aside walls and scoured out the path. 

A number of homes at West Cammachmore were badly affected when a water course burst its banks and flooded properties, with two properties being devastated. A wall was also destroyed by the water. 

Footbridges between Newtonhill and Muchalls over the Pheppie Burn were washed away. 

The path from Muchalls to the beach was closed after landslides. 

Councillor Alison Evison, Councillor Ian Mollison, and Councillor Carl Nelson – who all represent the area – were at the meeting to hear what happened. All three had each visited different scenes of the damage.  

Councillor Mollison told the meeting: “I have not known anything like this in the 40 years I have lived here.”