Description

A rectangular, lectern-plan dovecote (doocot) dating from the 17^th century. It is constructed in rubble with crowstepped gables and a slated roof sloping to the south. It has a rat course and a dormer entry in the south roof pitch.

Statement of Interest

The dovecot pre-dates the construction of Letham Grange and is located northwest of the house. It dates from an earlier manor house called Newgrange. The dovecot would have remained in use as part of the new estate of Letham Grange, continuing as a souce of food, feathers and manure as well as a display of social status.

In the 13^th century the lands of Letham were granted by the Abbey of Arbroath to Hugo Heem. Ownership of the land changed numerous times over the centuries and comprised a number of estates (Gazetteer for Scotland). In 1822 John Hay Esquire, former Provost of Arbroath, bought and consolidated Letham, Peebles and New Grange estates to form Letham Grange, construction began on the new country house between 1827 and 1830.

Dovecots, or pigeon houses, are an important component of estate landscapes, usually built to bespoke designs by craftsmen and occupying prominent positions near to the main house. Their survival helps us to understand what everyday life on a landed estate was like for the owners and inhabitants.

The dovecot at Letham Grange remains readable in the landscape, retaining its lectern plan form, its profile, scale and dormer entry. It is an important structural component of the former Letham Grange estate.

Listed building record revised in 2022.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17771817

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)