The Knock, West Lothian

The Knock
West Lothian
The Knock (R) from Cairnpapple Hill
Range:	Bathgate Hills
Summit:	1,023 feet NS987711 55°55’20"N, 3°37’21"W

The Knock is a hill amongst the Bathgate Hills in West Lothian, two miles north-east of Bathgate. It stands to the south of the more famous Cairnpapple Hill and rivals it in height.

Cairnpapple Hill is generally accepted as the county top of West Lothian, with a height of 1,024 feet, while The Knock stands at 1,023 feet. Cairnpapple Hill however is topped with a large Neolithic mound and it has been argued that its height is sufficiently unnatural to put the Knock above it as to natural height.

Standing on the Knock is a stone circle of 50 standing stones, arranged in two concentric circles in a field by the roadside. However it is not ancient; the circle was built in 1998 by the farmer’s son as a 50th birthday surprise for his father. No doubt the Neolithic site on Cairnpapple Hill was an inspiration.