Slievemore is the summit of the sandstone ridges which dominate the landscape of south east Tyrone. They extend from Pomeroy, on the Creggan Plateau, to Garvaghy and the escarpment at Errigal. The ridges are underlain by a variety of different sandstones, including Lower Old Red Sandstone and Conglomerates. The summits of Slievemore (313m) and Cappagh Mountain (280m) have a broad, rounded landform, while the lower slopes have a more complex, lumpy landform, a result of glacial deposition.
The landform near Pomeroy has a slightly different character. Here a high plateau, which is underlain by resistant igneous rocks, is deeply dissected by valleys such as that of the Upper Claggan River. The landscape has a diverse pattern, relating closely to the varied topography. The broad ridgetops are a large-scale mosaic of moorland and conifer plantations, with smaller pastures on the marginal slopes. Peat-cutting has had a significant influence in many parts of the moorland. The conifers form prominent, geometric blocks in the landscape and there are strong contrasts in scale, colour and character between the landscape of the ridge tops and that of the undulating pastures and marshy hollows on the fringes of the moorland. There are long views from the ridge top summits over the surrounding lowlands.
The lower slopes are a small-scale, diverse mosaic of pastures, woodland, patches of marsh and `waste' in the hollows and spoil heaps of abandoned quarries. Pastures are typically enclosed by hedgerows, although these become increasingly scanty on higher slopes, where they are dominated by gorse. Most of the fields on the fringes of the moorland, and conifer plantations are enclosed by wire fencing.
Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to ChangeThis is a marginal upland landscape. Field boundaries are generally derelict, with wire fencing supplementing earth banks, stone walls and occasionally gorse hedgerows. The predominant pressure for change is from commercial forestry and the hard, geometric edges of these plantations are sometimes a distracting negative feature in the landscape. In addition, quarries and derelict sand and gravel workings are relatively common elements, and upstanding transmission masts on the open moorland are very prominent in views from the surrounding lowlands. The open, rounded summits are sensitive to change, but the more complex, undulating topography of the lower slopes could accommodate development, although they are relatively inaccessible.
Principles for Landscape Management