Surface runoff
Kempstone Hill is situated approximately 2.3 kilometers to the north of Stonehaven; surface runoff and drainage from the northern and eastern slopes of Kempstone Hill flow north to the Burn of Muchalls. Surface runoff from the south and west flanks flow to the Burn of Monboys, a very slightly alkaline stream These low pH levels (compared to other area streams) may be caused in part by the peat drainage from the moorland on Meikle Carewe Hill and Curlethney Hill. To the south the terrain falls rather sharply descending to Limpet Burn, which watercourse flows to the North Sea. The riparian woodland along Limpet Burn has been classified as high value habitat by the Aberdeenshire Council.