Swinton House, Dovecot
Dovecot (18th Century)
Site Name Swinton House, Dovecot
Classification Dovecot (18th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Doocot
Canmore ID 59561
Site Number NT84NW 20.06
NGR NT 81460 46886
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/59561
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Swinton
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Berwickshire
- Former County Berwickshire
One of the earliest structures to survive on the estate at Swinton is the dovecot that stands in a field to the west of Swinton House. It was built in 1746, and was repaired and reroofed in the late twentieth century.
The dovecot is a circular structure, with a conical roof. A projecting narrow band of masonry encircling the exterior wall is a rat course, which prevented rodents from scaling the structure and pilfering the eggs and young birds inside.
Inside the dovecot, a total of 797 nesting boxes survive, arranged in tiers. The pigeons gained access to these by way of flight-holes located in the roof.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
NT84NW 20.06 81463 46888
Vertical air photography: OS 71/050/239-40.
Infomation from RCAHMS (RJCM), 6 May 1999.
