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Knocksoul is a Bronze Age settlement comprising two hut circles and a cairn located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The site sits on bedrock of Silurian mafic igneous rock, part of an unnamed intrusion that forms the geological foundation of this upland landscape. The two circular dwellings represent domestic structures typical of the later prehistoric period, when small family groups occupied moorland and hillside locations across northern Britain. These hut circles, with their characteristic sunken floors and stone foundations, would have provided shelter for activities including food preparation and craft work.
The cairn at Knocksoul likely served a ritual or ceremonial purpose, possibly marking the settlement or commemorating significant events. Such structures are frequently found in association with domestic sites of this period, indicating the integration of everyday settlement with spiritual or commemorative practices. The monument's position on igneous bedrock would have influenced water drainage and accessibility, factors essential to the choice of settlement location.
Knocksoul is protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM11633, recognising its importance as evidence of Bronze Age land use and social organisation in the Northeast Highlands. The site remains largely unexcavated, preserving archaeological potential for future investigation of settlement patterns and material culture on Aberdeenshire's ancient uplands.
Knocksoul, two hut circles and cairn 310m NNW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11633. View the official record →
Knocksoul is a Bronze Age settlement comprising two hut circles and a cairn located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM11633.
Knocksoul, two hut circles and cairn 310m NNW 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 SM11633.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Knock Hill, hut circle 315m NNE of Fernyhowe (4.7 km), Knock Hill cairn, 605m WSW of St John's Well (4.7 km), Ferny Howe, cairn 200m ESE of (4.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Knocksoul, two hut circles and cairn 310m NNW 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.
Knocksoul, two hut circles and cairn 310m NNW of stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician To Silurian, bedrock that formed in the Silurian. The rock here is mafic igneous-rock.