Description

Late 17th century. Single chamber rectangular-plan lectern dovecot; roofless. Random rubble; hammer-dressed quoins; projecting alighting ledge to E and half length of flanks; roll-moulded band course to W. Narrow door lintel. Circular flight holes above door with square ashlar dressing.

Statement of Interest

B-Group with Rosebery House (see separate listing). The 1979 list description notes there was previously a lean-to corrugated iron roof. Although the main fabric of the dovecot still seems relatively stable, it has suffered from neglect for many years. The importance of this dovecot lies in its relation to Rosebery House (to the W) possibly the earliest surviving house in the burgh. The Rosebery dovecot, built in the house's former orchard, is one of two surviving dovecots in Inverkeithing Burgh (see separate listing, Thomson's House Doocot) and although currently dilapitated, is the best preserved of the two structures. Dovecots were a valuable source of meat and manure but also a visible symbol of the wealth and status of the landowners and burgesses (after 1617 only burgesses who had considerable lands were permitted to build dovecots). The RCAHMS survey of 1933 revealed 1,335 stone nesting boxes, however this number has diminished due to decay. Under repair (2003).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17794059

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

• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014