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Dovecotes Of Caithness
Notes On three Nineteenth Century Caithness
Dovecotes SANDSIDE HOUSE, REAY PARISH (map ref. NC953653) ![]() BARROCK MAINS STEADING, B0WER PARISH (map ref. ND283626) WESTFIELD, HALKIRK PARISH (map ref. ND064643)
Three Caithness Doocotes
Dunbeath Dovecote on Doors Open
Day
Stroma Dovecote |
Dovecotes In
Caithness There are seven free-standing doocots in Caithness (Dunbeath, Forse, Dale, Stemster, Freswick, Ackergill and Stroma) and a number integral to farm steadings (e.g. Barrock) or attached to walls (e.g. Sandside). In Caithness there are three distinct types - the beehive, so called because it resembles the domed straw bee skep (Dale , Freswick); those that are rectangular with gable ends (Stemster, Stroma); and the lean-to or'lectern' form (Ackergill, Dunbeath , Forse). They are built of good quality stone, lined with square stine nesting boxes and some with Caithness flag roofs. Built south-facing to catch the sun with pigeon port or entrance also on this side. The Dovecotes have a 'rat-course', an encircling protrusion of stone primarily designed to prevent entry by rats but also providing alighting or resting-placesfor the birds. Each dovecote has its own style - double chamber, swept dormers, 12 crowsteps at Forse, single-chamber with 400 nesting boxes at Dunbeath, twin double-chambered lecterns with the comfort of plastering at the back of the boxes at Ackergill; 350 boxes rise in ever-diminishing rows and wooded framing - unusual for such an early dovecote at Dale. A Story About
Dale House Doocote
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