> does it mean 'religious' or does it mean 'highly valued'
It can means either and more. That's why I find it hard to understand the argument that the term 'sacred landscape' is spiritually or religiously value ladden.
The problem is that to some people it IS, in the sense of its original meaning. With some people regarding it as equalling religion and some people not, things get confusing, so it's a word best avoided in this kind of context.... (IMO)