Rothiemay Castle, Dovecot
Dovecot (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Rothiemay Castle, Dovecot
Classification Dovecot (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Mains Of Rothiemay; Rothiemay House Policies
Canmore ID 17799
Site Number NJ54NE 7.02
NGR NJ 55035 48276
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/17799
- Council Moray
- Parish Rothiemay
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Banffshire
NJ54NE 7.02 55035 48276.
(NJ 5502 4827) Dovecot (NAT)
OS 6" map, Banffshire, 2nd ed., (1904)
For related sites see:
NJ54NE 7.00 NJ 55360 48459 Rothiemay Castle
NJ54NE 7.01 NJ 54807 48314 West Lodge
NJ54NE 7.03 NJ 55122 48430 Kiln Barn
NJ54NE 7.04 NJ 55514 48168 Queen Mary's Bridge
NJ54NE 7.05 NJ 55099 48500 Mains of Rothiemay
NJ54NE 7.06 NJ 55514 48250 Kirktown
NJ54NE 7.07 NJ 55417 48587 Laundry
NJ54NE 7.08 NJ 55444 48501 Manse
NJ54NE 7.09 NJ 55480 48432 St Peter's Well
Although the collapsed roof and much of the exterior of this square dovecot have a comparatively modern appearance, there are indications, mostly in the interior, that an earlier structure has been modified. The age of the dovecot could not be ascertained from enquiries.
Visited by OS (RDL), 5 February 1964.
No change.
Visited by OS (NKB) 16 January 1968.
Photographic Survey (November 1964)
Photographic survey of Rothiemay Castle dovecot, Banffshire, by the Scottish National Buildings Record in November 1964.
Srp Note (17 May 2011)
Evidently designed and located with the picturesque in mind, the Doocot stands on its own, SW of the kilnbarn (NJ54NE 7.03) and steading (NJ54NE 7.05). It is square in plan and unusually large, divided internally into two compartments.
In the 18th century it had a swept pyramidal roof culminating in a cupola, with two small flight hole dormers facing south. It is now re-roofed with a corrugated iron. A detailed description of the doocot is given by N.A. Brown (“Doocots of Moray” (Scottish Vernacular Buildings Working Group, 2004).
The doocot was built before 1767 - it appears in William Tomkin’s painting of that date ('A View of Rothiemay House'). It may have been built by William Duff, Lord Braco, who acquired the Castle and Estate of Rothiemay in 1741, or perhaps earlier. Note the style of pointing and use of red sandstone door dressings.
For further details regarding this and neighbouring sites lying within the policies of Rothiemay Castle, see the Kirkton of Rothiemay Survey Report, linked to this record.
Information from William Reid, May 2011.