The King's Knot represents the remains of a great parterre laid out c.1628 in King's Park, below Stirling Castle, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) southwest of the city centre. Locally known as the cup-and-saucer the feature comprises an octagonal grass-covered earthwork which rises above the surrounding parkland through a series of steps. The remains of square areas, divided by walkways, can be discerned around this feature. The area was once a magnificent formal garden, planted with box hedges, ornamental trees and flower beds. Thereafter it fell into disrepair and was let for grazing. Almost lost to the plough, it was restored in the 19th century possibly as the result of complaints by conservationist Henry Cockburn (1779 - 1854), but today is no longer planted.
The area formed part of the Crown Estate until 1999, when it was conveyed to the Scottish Ministers. It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
