Lessendrum, Dovecot

Lessendrum House, 1837, Archibald Simpson. Although now given up almost entirely to the ivy, the few diagonal chimneystacks that rise out of the remains of the 1928 fire, point to the vigour and wit of Simpson's 'pocket Gothic ruin'.

Remodelling a 17th-century house for the Bissets, the 'oldest established line in all Aberdeenshire' with Norman roots, Simpson showed considerable freedom in providing a richly fenestrated two-storey house with a wealth of turrets, one ogeecapped like Newe. Circular doocot with two rat courses; 18th or early 19th century.

Taken from "Aberdeenshire: Donside and Strathbogie - An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Ian Shepherd, 2006. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

NJ54SE 7.01 58315 41487

(NJ 5831 4148) Dovecot (NAT)

OS 6" map, Aberdeenshire, 2nd ed., (1928)

The cylindrical dovecot at Lessendrum stands high, on a hill, some distance from the ruined house. Two string courses encircle the cote, which has an outer circumference of fifty-one feet. The entrance, in the south side, has a small window over it and a larger window above that. The roof is circular and slated, and has no opening nor louvre. All the nest holes have been destroyed.

A N Robertson 1957.

The dovecot is as described in Robertson (1957).

Visited by OS (EGC) 2 October 1961.

The appearance and description (Robertson 1957) of this dovecot suggest that it may be 16th century.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

Circular, split boulder rubble with pinnings. 2 rat-courses, lower formed as gablet over doorway. No trace of boxes, presumably were wood. Conical slated roof fallen in 1985. (Historic Scotland)