Knockside Hills

NS25NE 7 2565 5819

See also NS25NE 1.

(NS 2565 5819) Cairn (NR)

OS 6" map (1962)

This cairn, the westernmost of two on South Knock Hill, is 14 paces in diameter and 6ft high, but it has been considerably levelled. Under its centre is a structure built of dry stones, 8ft long by 4ft wide at one end and 3ft at the other. It is about 3ft high, and has probably been plastered inside at one time as there are the remains of lime lying in the bottom of it. At the narrow end there is an entrance 14ins wide, and at the wide end, in the corners, there are small holes. It was probably a "spy-house", useful during times of invasion. It is difficult to account for it as being a built grave, and it is too small for a residence.

J Smith 1895

Situated on the S edge of a prominent ridge, this cairn, composed solely of loose stones, measures 15.0m in diameter and 1.5m in height. The remains of a small compartment are visible near the centre of the carin, what exists of it measures 2.0m x 2.0m x 0.7m deep. It is neatly built with the small stones of the cairn, but appears to be a carefully built cavity, resulting possibly from an early (unrecorded) excavation. None of the explanations given by Smith seen probable. Though somewhat mutilated, this is a good example of a simple round cairn. There is no kerb visible.

Visited by OS (JLD) 19 September 1956

No change.

Visited by OS (JRL) 23 January 1983