Andrew Cleghorn, 52, from Kirkburn, wants to build, on his smallholding, an altar, statue plinth and sacred well in tribute to the god, The Scotsman reports.

In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost characterised by his antlers and associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park in the English county of Berkshire.

Shakespeare describes him as “a spirit” and “sometime a keeper … in Windsor forest” who is seen to “walk round about an oak, with great ragg’d horns” at midnight during winter-time.

In a submission to the local authority, which has refused Mr Cleghorn permission to erect the shrine, Mr Cleghorn explained that he “is guided by the pagan Earth gods and wishes to create a special place for private worship”.

He added: “The low-impact sacred well and altar/statue stance will be sited at the source of a spring on the hill, with a view over the valley … where private meditation and worship can be carried out without impact to others.”

However, planning officer Craig Miller said the development could mar the local landscape, with its 2m tall stone plinth, atop which the antler-headed deity would stand.

Refusing permission, the panel also denied Mr Cleghorn’s application for a cattle flotation pool “for the therapy and tonal improvement of the stock”.