Description

Dated 1800. Tall dovecot with chamfered angles forming
octagonal plan. Harl pointed rubble, tooled granite ashlar
dressings and margins, heavy boulder footings. Long
elevations N, S, E and W with doorway in W; oval oculus in E,
W and S elevations above continuous alighting ledge; slightly
corbelled, crenellated wallhead with each merlon capped by
ball finial (12 in number); wallhead masks pyramidal slate
roof.
INTERIOR: interior lined full-height with approximately 300
brick nesting boxes, the base of each box constructed of
brick slabs. Tall potence ladder survives with some missing
rungs.

Statement of Interest

Commanding site on rise above Rosehearty Bay, the cote is a

landmark for shipping and surrounding farmlands; the name

Mounthooley or Holy Mount implies earlier Christian

associations. Dovecot combines role of pigeon house with that

of folly and landmark.

Ladder (potence) leans against side of wall inside cote;

probably formerly mounted on plinth at base and fitted into a

slot in the roof in order to revolve and facilitate

inspection of each nest and collection of young birds for

culinary use.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17570987

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

• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas