Scheduled Maintenance
Please be advised that this website will undergo scheduled maintenance on the following dates: •
Tuesday 3rd December 11:00-15:00
During these times, some services may be temporarily unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Leuchars Castle
Dovecot (17th Century)
Site Name Leuchars Castle
Classification Dovecot (17th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Leuchars Castle Policies
Canmore ID 33189
Site Number NO42SE 11
NGR NO 45214 21916
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/33189
- Council Fife
- Parish Leuchars
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
NO42SE 11 45214 21916
(NO 4521 2191) Dovecot (NAT)
OS 6" map (1919)
'A fine 17th century dovecot of unusually ornate type stands in a field 300 yards S of the farmhouse of Leuchars Castle, and 200 yards W of the castle site (NO42SE 5). It is circular on plan having a girth of 64 3/4ft and the walls rise to an elaborate corbelling of four members bearing a pyramidal roof. The entrance has an arched head dated (16)61. The entrance is fitted with double doors and the nests are of stone'.
RCAHMS 1933
A dovecote of ashlar masonry in fair condition, and as described above.
Visited by OS (DS), 19 October 1956.
OS (DS) confirmed.
Visited by OS (RDL), 5 June 1964.
Circular with two rat courses, lower stepped over armorial panel now missing. Corbelled to square, pyramid roof (probably of later date) with stone boxes. (Historic Scotland)
Go to BARR website 
Field Visit (18 September 1925)
Dovecot, Leuchars Castle.
A fine 17th century dovecot of unusually ornate type stands in a field 300 yards south of the farmhouse of Leuchars Castle, and 200 yards east of the castle site. It is circular on plan, having a girth of 64 ¾ feet, and the walls rise, broken by two moulded string-courses, to an elaborate corbelling of four members bearing a pyramidal slated roof. The entrance faces south-east and has an arched head dated [16]61. The lower string-course returns upward above the entrance to enclose an armorial panel, now missing. The four lowest members of the corbelling are sculptured and bear respectively a male head, a terminal figure, a female figure from the waist upwards, and the figure of an angel. The entrance is fitted with double doors, and the nests are of stone.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 18 September 1925.