Camp Knowe

Gazing up at Camp Knowe, has anyone ever considered its age? Camp Knowe is more than just a mound of earth. It whispers stories of Blantyre’s earliest inhabitants. This Bronze Age hill fort dates back to 2000-700 BC. Camp Knowe stands as a testament to their ingenuity and resilience. Imagine the fort in its prime. Chris Ladds’ reconstruction shows a panoramic view of Camp Knowe integrated into Blantyre’s landscape. It held a commanding defensive position. Water likely surrounded much of it, with a steep drop on one side leading down to a stream. The 1835 New Statistical Account of Blantyre described Camp Knowe as a singular conical hill at Calderside. It was recorded as 600 feet in circumference and anciently surrounded by a ditch. However, by 1859, parish records noted that the Knowe had been plowed over. Its distinct shape was lost. The ditch had vanished. A subterranean structure mentioned in the New Statistical Account could no longer be located. The flooding mentioned in historical accounts is confirmed by the 1859 Blantyre map. The map shows a flooded area with a channel directing overflow into a nearby stream. A mysterious underground chamber made of flagstones was documented in 1846. Sadly, its location remains a mystery. Today, Camp Knowe sits between modern properties. It’s easily mistaken for just another raised field. This unassuming mound holds secrets waiting to be unearthed. A proper survey, perhaps using geophysics, could reveal more of Camp Knowe’s hidden past. Bronze Age artifacts, including clayware, have already been found here, hinting at the treasures that may still lie buried.