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Ravenscraig, Dovecot

Dovecot (16th Century)

Site Name Ravenscraig, Dovecot

Classification Dovecot (16th Century)

Alternative Name(s) Dysart House Policies

Canmore ID 52901

Site Number NT29SE 10

NGR NT 29320 92490

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/52901

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Bluesky International Limited 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

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Administrative Areas

  • Council Fife
  • Parish Kirkcaldy And Dysart
  • Former Region Fife
  • Former District Kirkcaldy
  • Former County Fife

Archaeology Notes

NT29SE 10 29320 92490

Within the policies of Dysart House on a projecting portion of the cliffs some 500 yards NE of Ravenscraig Castle is a circular rubble-built dovecot, which probably dates from the late 16th century. It is some 20ft high x 19 1/2ft in external diameter. It has been pointed externally, but is ruinous within.

RCAHMS 1933.

NT 2931 9250. The dovecot is as described above, and is in a fair state of preservation.

Visited by OS (J D) 4 October 1954.

Site Management (26 January 2011)

4-stage, flat-roofed rubble beehive dovecot. Stages divided by projecting ashlar rat course/alighting ledge; blocked door to N, and rubble boundary walls adjoining to E and W. Flat, stone slab roof with round flight-hole opening to centre.

Situated on the N shore of the Forth, the dovecot was once part of Ravenscraig Castle policies, property of the St Clair family. After the bankruptcy of the 5th Earl of Rosslyn in 1896, Sir Michael Nairn purchased Ravenscraig and Dysart House; in 1929 the land now forming Ravenscraig Park was gifted to the community. (Historic Scotland)

Activities

Field Visit (29 May 1925)

Dovecot, Dysart House.

Within the policies of Dysart House, and built on a projecting portion of the cliffs about 500 yards north-east of Ravenscraig Castle (NT29SE 11), is a circular rubble-built dovecot, which probably dates from the late 16th century. It is about 20 feet high and 19 ½ feet in external diameter. The entrance looks westward. There are three unmoulded string-courses. The top, which is flat and probably incomplete, contains a circular aperture for the birds' entrance. The nests are of stone and less than half of them remain. The dovecot has been pointed externally but is ruinous within.

RCAHMS 1933, visited 29 May 1925.

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