The name Knockaird (Gaelic: An Cnoc Àrd) is Gaelic for “the high hill”, which is relative as although the village is only at a height of 38 metres it is on one of the few high points of the north Lewis plain. It overlooks the shallow valley containing the Loch Stiapabhat nature reserve, completed in December 2013.   In 2020, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn signed a management agreement with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).  Under the terms of the new agreement, the RSPB will be permitted to undertake scientific surveys and research, monitor the flora and fauna of the area and highlight the assets of the Nature Reserve for educational, scientific and conservation purposes. 

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Knockaird is in the far north of Ness, bordering the villages of Fivepenny Ness and Port of Ness and overlooks the Clan Morrison fortified island site of Dùn Èistean. The ruins of two large buildings and groups of inter-connecting cellular structures can be seen amongst the grassy tussocks on the top of the island, as well as an artificial pond and a low turf wall enclosing the site. Peat hearths, broken pottery, pistol shot and coins dating to the 16th-17th centuries have been found.

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Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) Notes on Dùn Èistean: http://canmore.org.uk/site/4417/lewis-port-of-ness-dun-eistean

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Dùn Èistean excavation photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8299848@N07/sets/72157600238545516/detail/

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