Archaeology Notes

Event ID 714302

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/714302

NT37SE 39 3508 7286

(NT 3508 7286) Dovecot (NAT)

OS 1:1250 map (1958).

For Musselburgh, High Street, Pinkie House (Loretto School), at NT 34880 72651, see NT37SW 4.00.

For icehouse at NT 3504 7256, see NT37SE 84.

The dovecot in the park of Pinkie House is one of the most interesting dovecots near Edinburgh. It is a fine rectangular, two-chambered building, 24'6" x 15'5 1/2" with 3'4" thick walls. The walls are recessed above each string-course; the lower course is 8' from the ground and is on all walls, while the upper joins the front cornice. Iron brackets remain on the front wall-nets were fixed to them to catch the pigeons as they flew out.

Each chamber has an entrance in the front wall. There is a panel above each entrance, one showing a monogram of Alexander Seton, who built Pinkie House, and Margaret Hay, his third wife (they were married in 1607 and he died in 1622); the other shows his arms. A square window opens into each chamber. They were once closed by stones which contained the entrance holes for the pigeons. In the interior are a total of 1087 nests, and each chamber has a potence.

A N Robertson 1945.