Knockan

Knockan (Scottish Gaelic: An Cnocan) is a township of six crofts in the community of Ardtun, in the south of the Isle of Mull off the west coast of Scotland.

Knockan Scottish Gaelic: An Cnocan
Coastal scene, looking towards Loch Scridain
Knockan Location within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference	NM4023
Council area	Argyll and Bute
Lieutenancy area	Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ISLE OF MULL
Postcode district	PA67
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Argyll and Bute
Scottish Parliament	Argyll and Bute

Mary MacDonald of nearby Ardtun wrote the Gaelic words to a hymn, which became an English favourite called "Child in a Manger". The traditional Gaelic tune she used, (later called "Bunessan") was re-used in 1931 for "Morning Has Broken". Her monument is beside the main road at Knockan

Cnocan in Gaelic means "little hill". The cottage called "Knockan" is distinguished by its bright red roof and white walls, set by a small hill. It is around 200 years old and was originally built by a weaver of the local crofting community. It is now owned by his descendants, the family of Donald Black. The other crofting cottages in the "township" of Knockan include "Knockan House" and "Rhudda na Cruban"

Knockan is situated on an unclassified road, north of its junction with the A849. The A849 is the main route across southern Mull, travelling from Salen to Fionnphort, via Craignure.

External links

• Blackshouse - The Knockan Blacks (archive.org) Detailed linear case study of one Mull family from before the Highland clearances to the present day.