General view.

Description General view.

Date 7/7/1938

Catalogue Number MO 606

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 765979

Scope and Content Windmill Dovecot, Gordonstoun House, Moray This windmill was built in the 18th century, probably as a grain mill, and converted to a dovecot in 1731. The small opening with the ledge was probably a flight hole although the main entrance for the pigeons was through a circular opening at the peak of the building. The entrance doorway has been blocked up and there was an enclosed vault under the building which formed the base of the windmill. Dovecots were a common building on country estates because pigeons were the only source of fresh meat in spring when cattle were too lean to be slaughtered. The thousands of pigeons kept in the dovecots would consume crops grown by tenants on the estate. Legend has it that Sir Robert Gordon (1696-1772) who disliked his wife, Dame Agnes, constructed four dovecots because he believed that the building of a dovecot would lead to a family death. He was misguided as Dame Agnes outlived him and all her five children. The dovecots were however, built at different times. Gordonstoun was probably built in the 16th century as a tall and thin rectangular tower. The first Marquis of Huntly added flanking wings in 1616 and the building was altered in 1730. The Classical front was added in 1775 and further alterations were made during the 19th century. Dr Kurt Hahn converted the house to Gordonstoun School in 1934. The building was extensively repaired in 1945 after a fire. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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