Knockmade Hill

NS36SE 6 3524 6182

(NS 3524 6182) Homestead (NR)

OS 6" map (1969)

This site, originally published as the supposed site of a fort, was described 1856 as two circles, represented by stones at irregular distances and by slight hollows, set one within the other on the summit of Knockmade Hill (Name Book 1856).

When visited by the OS (JLD) on 4 August 1955, it was noted that: an earth and stone bank 3m to 4m broad and 0.2m high can be traced curving round the S end of the hill, and although not definable on the N, appears to curve to form an enclosure some 40.0m in diameter. Within this area is a smaller circle, 10m in diameter, formed by a circular earth and stone bank 1.2m broad. A plan was made of the site by the RCAHMS, who classify it as a homestead (1957).

This was confirmed by excavations for the Hunterian Museum by R G Livens in 1959-60. Prior to excavating, he notes a group of circular banks within the main enclosures bank, which he showed had been stone-built, about 6ft wide, and overlying a very thin scatter of occupation debris. The principal circular hut was about 40ft in diameter; the extant remains consisted of wall-footings associated with post-holes. The interior was divided into two parts, the one nearer the door being at a slightly lower level and more roughly cobbled; it may have been a byre. The second part was floored with cobbles and gravel and had, in the approximate centre of the hut, an almost circular hearth, surrounded by a stone kerb; past the hearth ran a stone- covered drain. Finds from the site included hammer-stones, and a fragment of a jet or lignite armlet.

R G Livens 1959; R G Livens 1960.

This homestead comprises a 29ft house with E entrance aligned with that of the yard, which is 124ft N-S by 66ft to 82ft. In the S arc of the 8ft wide wall is a 25ft house. The remains occupy a ridge (just over 600ft OD) sheer to the W, steep to the E, but accessible from the N and less readily from the S.

F Newall 1964.

Generally as described above, although the enclosure is a rough oval 40.5m NE - SW by a maximum of 25.0m NW - SE. Its bank is largely traceable only as a scarping of the natural slope, though in places an inner facing scarp, not exceeding 0.2m high, can be discerned, particularly on the north at the highest part of the site. The entrance is in the SE and is 4.0m wide. Opposite the entrance is a hut circle 11.0m diameter formed by a fragmentary turfed-over earth and stone bank, 0.3m high where best preserved. The entrance is in the SE and is 2.5m wide.

The other hut circle, the 25ft house mentioned by Newall, is discernible as a slight depression 8.0m in diameter. The entrance is not apparent.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RDL), 14 May 1964.

Scheduled as 'Knockmade Hill, homestead'.

[Further description in text].

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 24 February 2011.

Knockmade Hill

Homestead [NAT]

OS (GIS) MasterMap, March 2011.