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Doocot Knowe is a broch situated on Papa Stronsay in Orkney, Scotland. This Iron Age stone tower stands on bedrock of Middle Old Red Sandstone, comprising conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone formed during the Middle Devonian period. The broch's position on this geology is typical of Orkney's landscape, where such durable stone provided both foundation and building material for these distinctive roundhouses characteristic of the northern Scottish Iron Age.
Brochs are recognised as uniquely Scottish structures, featuring hollow-walled circular towers with internal staircases and galleries. Doocot Knowe exemplifies this architectural form, constructed to maximise defensive capability and shelter on the exposed Orkney islands. The monument's survival on Papa Stronsay demonstrates the resilience of broch construction techniques, with the durable local sandstone ensuring preservation across more than two millennia.
The site is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM1436, reflecting its significance as an archaeological monument. Doocot Knowe remains an important example of Iron Age settlement patterns in Orkney, contributing to understanding of how communities adapted to island life during this period. The broch's presence on Papa Stronsay underscores the strategic importance of these islands in prehistory.
Doocot Knowe,broch,Papa Stronsay is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1436. View the official record →
Doocot Knowe is a broch situated on Papa Stronsay in Orkney, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1436.
Doocot Knowe,broch,Papa Stronsay dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a broch,papa stronsay. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Doocot Knowe,broch,Papa Stronsay 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 SM1436.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Papa Stronsay, kelp kiln 120m N of Mill (0.5 km), Papa Stronsay, burnt mound 500m E of Mill (0.6 km), Earls Knoll,long cairn & windmill SSW of East House (0.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Doocot Knowe,broch,Papa Stronsay'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.
Doocot Knowe,broch,Papa Stronsay stands on Middle Old Red Sandstone (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Middle Devonian. The rock here is conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.