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Castle Knowe is a post-medieval palisaded enclosure located in Midlothian, Scotland. The monument consists of a defensive earthwork fortified with timber palisading, a construction type typical of the early modern period when such structures served as temporary or auxiliary fortifications. The site is situated on bedrock comprising Silurian to Devonian extrusive rocks, specifically mafic lava and mafic tuff formed during the Devonian period. This ancient volcanic foundation provides the solid geological base upon which the later medieval earthwork was constructed.
The choice of location on this volcanic bedrock would have offered practical advantages for construction and drainage. The mafic rock composition, being relatively hard and stable, provided a secure platform for the substantial timber posts and associated rampart required to support the palisade defence. The Midlothian setting places Castle Knowe within a region historically significant for its network of fortified settlements and military installations.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the scheduling reference SM6447, recognising its importance as evidence of post-medieval defensive architecture and settlement patterns in the Scottish Lowlands. The palisaded enclosure form reflects the military construction methods and strategic priorities of its period.
Castle Knowe, palisaded enclosure is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6447. View the official record →
Castle Knowe is a post-medieval palisaded enclosure located in Midlothian, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6447.
Castle Knowe, palisaded enclosure dates from the post-medieval period, and is classified as a palisaded enclosure. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Castle Knowe, palisaded enclosure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6447.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Carnethy Hill,cairn,Silverburn (3.4 km), Old Woodhouselee Castle (3.7 km), Penicuik,St Kentigern's Church & Clerk Mausoleum (4.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Castle Knowe, palisaded enclosure's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Castle Knowe, palisaded enclosure stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Silurian To Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Devonian. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.