davidtic

We managed to miss out the 15 minute walk by mistakenly passing the carpark and driving up the forestry commission track straight to the circle. Trees had recently been cut so the views were superb all round. The distinct lack of restoration only improves this site, which feels much more “complete” than other more manicured circles.

6 miles SE of Portsoy and rising to 1412 feet, Knock Hill plays a major part in the landscape of this area of NE Scotland. It is an extict volcano visible for miles around, and can be seen from many sites.
It provides a Northern focal point in the megalithic landscape like Benachie and the other sacred hills further South.

A relatively small, well preserved circle on a raised mound of smaller stones, lacking the recumbent of the usual Aberdeenshire circles.
Not sure what excavation/restoration has been carried out, although it seems possible that some or all of the stones have been repositioned or at least re-erected over the years. One of the stones is heavily cup-marked (see photo) and the circle stands on a hillside with views of the sea to the North, and Ben Achie (obscured by trees) to the South.