Markle Dovecote

Dovecotes were usually circular or square stone or brick structures with nesting boxes built into the walls for the birds to roost and breed in. The nesting boxes were designed to allow easy collection of eggs and squabs (young pigeons) for food. Dovecotes (also known as doocots in bonny Scotland) often had hundreds or even thousands of nesting boxes stacked in tiers on the inside walls.

On the outside, dovecotes ranged from functional and plain to elaborate and highly decorated structures, depending on the wealth of the estate. Some were freestanding in courtyards while others were built into the walls of larger estate buildings. Dovecotes usually had a hatch or door to allow the birds access in and out of the building.

By providing a safe space for the pigeons to nest, dovecotes allowed estates to raise flocks of domesticated pigeons as a renewable food source.

This dovecote up in East Linton near Markle is still in pretty good condition, although we didn't see any pigeons. There is a fence around it, so you can't get right up to it, but it is next to the road, so you could even take a photo from the comfort of your car!