Kingsknowe

Was Kingsknowe always a bustling Edinburgh suburb? Hardly. Picture this: rolling farmland, a 17th-century farmhouse owned by a man named William King. This is the Kingsknowe of centuries past. Kingsknowe takes its name from this farmer, not royalty. The “knowe” part? That’s a nod to the small hillock the farm sat upon, a “knowe” in Scots. By 1964, the farm was gone, replaced by the housing estate you see today. But Kingsknowe still holds echoes of its past. Look around. Amidst the modern homes, remnants of history linger. Millbank House, an 18th-century rubble-built structure stands proudly on the corner of Bank Road and Boag’s Mill Road. It’s a Category B listed building, a testament to Kingsknowe’s architectural heritage. Not far from here, tucked away on Redhall Bank Road, are three more Category B listed cottages, built around 1850 by Sir James Gowans. Kingsknowe is more than just houses though. It’s a community, connected by the Union Canal to the north and its own railway station. The station has a story to tell too. Originally named Longstone, it opened in 1848. Renamed Kingsknowe in 1853, it briefly closed in 1964 but was resurrected in 1971 due to popular demand. Fancy a round of golf? Kingsknowe Golf Club, founded in 1908, offers an 18-hole course. And for football fans, the Kingsknowe playing fields are home to Currie Star F.C., founded in 1997. So, as you stroll through Kingsknowe, remember its journey: from a humble farm to a vibrant suburb, its story etched in its buildings, its transport links, and its community spirit.