Knockdon

Hill, Mountain in Ayrshire

Scotland

Knockdon

Grange Muir from the air Tincorn Hill Quarry <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7118247">NS5727 : Tincorn Hill Quarry from the air</a> can be seen in the distance. — Grange Muir from the air Credit: Thomas Nugent

Knockdon is a prominent hill located in Ayrshire, a county in southwest Scotland. It is part of the Carrick Hills range and stands at an elevation of approximately 334 meters (1,096 feet) above sea level. The hill is situated near the small village of Dalrymple, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of the town of Ayr.

Knockdon boasts a picturesque landscape characterized by rolling greenery, heather-covered moorlands, and scattered trees. The hill offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran on a clear day.

The area around Knockdon is popular among hikers, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers. Several well-marked trails and footpaths traverse the hill, providing opportunities for exploration and enjoyment of the natural beauty. Walking to the summit of Knockdon rewards visitors with breathtaking vistas and a sense of tranquility.

Flora and fauna are abundant on the hill, with heather, gorse, and various grasses dominating the vegetation. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds such as buzzards, kestrels, and pheasants. Visitors may also spot rabbits, hares, and deer roaming freely.

Knockdon is a cherished destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Its accessibility, natural beauty, and captivating views make it a must-visit location for anyone exploring the Ayrshire region.

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Knockdon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.554221/-4.281802 or Grid Reference NS5631. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Grange Muir from the air

Tincorn Hill Quarry NS5727 : Tincorn Hill Quarry from the air can be seen in the distance.

Thomas Nugent

Burn o' Need Rig

Gently rolling moorland used for sheep grazing with the telecommunications mast west of Greenfield in NS5534 on the skyline.

Bob Forrest

Unfenced moorland track

A track formerly used for access to old mine shafts, but now used for access to sheep folds and a line of Grouse Butts on the heather moor (the darker area in the middle right).

Bob Forrest

Stream confluence

Joining of the Burn o' Need and the South Grange Burn. A small log bridge provides a crossing point to a line of Grouse Butts at the top left of the photo.

Bob Forrest

Sheep Fold and Old Mine Workings

Large mounds of loose stone testify to the former existence of mining at this location. Old shafts are shown on the old 1 inch OS map sheet 67 Ayr very close to the corrugated iron enclosure in the top right of the photo.

Bob Forrest

Shooting Butts

This is the second in a line of butts above the South Grange burn. Heather moorland stretches from here to the lower slopes of the Blackside ridge in the distance.

Bob Forrest

Croft Head of Auchmannoch

wfmillar

Achmannoch House

wfmillar

Pheasant rearing at Auchmannoch

Strangely, the blue feeding barrels once contained 'Mango Chutney' in 250KG batches.

Gordon Brown

Obsolete deer-proof fencing

Trees well grown and gate open - fence no longer needed - probably to protect the young trees against roe deer. Note the ice on the track after the December 2007 sustained cold period.

Gordon Brown

Meanders on the Cessnock Water

The hill, Distinkhorn, indistinct on the left horizon (sorry!)

Gordon Brown

Over Mid Muir to Flacket Hill

Flacket Hill is not really a hill, more the southern slopes of Mean Muir.

Gordon Brown

Dentibert Well

This insignificant seep is apparently Dentibert Well, about which I can find little more information. There are a number of holy wells and waters in this area.

Gordon Brown

Ruined sheep-fank above Dentibert Well

Gordon Brown

Over Mid Muir to Mean Muir

The Darvel TV transmitter mast in the distance.

Gordon Brown

A frosty day on Mean Muir

This whole area is boggy and tussocky. It was a very tough walk even after nearly a week of hard frosts (minus 8 degrees as I left the car); after wet weather the walk would be a misery!

Gordon Brown