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Knock souterrain is an Iron Age underground stone-built passage located near Knock in Banffshire, north-east Scotland. Situated 200 metres north-north-east of the settlement, the souterrain represents a distinctive form of prehistoric architecture found throughout northern Britain, typically dating to the later Iron Age. These subterranean structures served various purposes, including storage, refuge or ritual use, and their construction required considerable labour and engineering skill.
The monument lies upon bedrock of the Grampian Group, comprising psammite and semipelite deposits formed during the Neoproterozoic era. This metamorphic geology provided the builder with naturally occurring stone suitable for constructing the souterrain's walls and roof. The local landscape, shaped by glaciation and weathering of these ancient rocks, would have influenced both the choice of location and the construction techniques employed.
The Knock souterrain is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3526, recognising its importance as evidence of Iron Age settlement patterns and building practices in Banffshire. Though the structure's precise original form and extent remain matters for archaeological study, it survives as a testament to the engineering capabilities and social organisation of Iron Age communities in this region of the Scottish Highlands.
Knock,souterrain 200m NNE of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3526. View the official record →
Knock souterrain is an Iron Age underground stone-built passage located near Knock in Banffshire, north-east Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3526.
Knock,souterrain 200m NNE of dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a souterrain. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Knock,souterrain 200m NNE of 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 SM3526.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Drumin Castle (4.4 km), Doune of Dalmore, cairn and stone circle (4.8 km), Blairfindy Castle,20m N of Castleton (4.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Knock,souterrain 200m NNE of'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.
Knock,souterrain 200m NNE of stands on Grampian Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite and semipelite.