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All the United Kingdom Scotland East Linton Phantassie Doocot
AO Edited

Phantassie Doocot

A curious structure built just for the birds.

East Linton, Scotland

Added By
Annetta Black
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The ledges were to prevent rats getting in!   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This odd little round building at the edge of a Scottish field is not an unusual barn or eclectic domicile – it is in fact a very well preserved 16th century dovecote (here shortened to "doocot"), or nesting home for doves.

Dovecotes were once very common across Europe, particularly at manor houses and estates, where birds were kept for food and eggs, as well as using their droppings for crop fertilizer. 

The architecture of the Phantassie dovecote is unusual, topped with a horse-shoe shaped parapet. It is 56 feet in circumference with 4 1/2 foot thick walls to protect the residents from the elements. Inside, there are 16 entrances and 544 nooks for nesting birds.

It is now a protected historic structure, overseen by the National Trust for Scotland. 

Related Tags

Birds Dovecotes Pigeons Outsider Architecture Animals
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Added By

Annetta Black

Edited By

Rachel, Martin, Osage, SEANETTA...

  • Rachel
  • Martin
  • Osage
  • SEANETTA
  • katielou106

Published

November 20, 2013

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantassie_Doocot
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dovecote
  • http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/56211/details/phantassie+dovecot/
Phantassie Doocot
14 Stories Park
East Linton, Scotland, EH40 3DF
United Kingdom
55.987938, -2.647825
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Nearby Places

R34 Memorial

East Lothian, Scotland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Nearby Places

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East Lothian, Scotland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

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