. A book of dovecotes. we are soon at Gilmerton House,or rather at the steading, screened from theroadbya small plantation. Inthe middle of thisis a fine circular dovecote of brick, which thegrieve is far from unwilling to exhibit on re-quest. More modern than the one just visited, it isin some ways more pleasing; for, far from beingdeserted and in semi-ruin, it is well populatedand inexcellent repair. Asthedooropenstotheturning of the key, pigeons swarm out throughthe small cupola that tops the dome-shapedroof; through the three curious little windowsimmediately above the upper of two string-
. A book of dovecotes. we are soon at Gilmerton House,or rather at the steading, screened from theroadbya small plantation. Inthe middle of thisis a fine circular dovecote of brick, which thegrieve is far from unwilling to exhibit on re-quest. More modern than the one just visited, it isin some ways more pleasing; for, far from beingdeserted and in semi-ruin, it is well populatedand inexcellent repair. Asthedooropenstotheturning of the key, pigeons swarm out throughthe small cupola that tops the dome-shapedroof; through the three curious little windowsimmediately above the upper of two string-courses; even through the door itself, so urgentseems their haste. The building, fifty feet in circumference, con-tainsaboutelevenhundrednests,withapotencein good working order. The storms and frostsof winter have worked havoc here; the coat ofplaster recently applied has parted from thewalls in places and hangs loose. But there ishere no danger of the dovecotes most-fearedfoes—indifference and neglect. We notice262. HADDINGTONSHIRE the effective ornament attained by the bricksimmediately below the string-courses beinglaid obliquely, with a corner of each projecting. A winding unfrequented by-way leads us upa hill and into the main road between Dunbarand Haddington. Following it eastward, weshall reach the pleasant little town, or rather thelarge village, of East Linton, with its. bridgeacross the Tyne. Here, time permitting, we may turn asidefrom our main route and pay a visit to two dove-cotes which stand not far off. One, seen fromthe north end of the village street, is on theslope of Drylaw Hill. It is a large and sub-stantial stone building of three stages, with aconical roof, built on an outcrop of rock in afield. There is a low broad dormer window inthe roof, and further access for the birds by arow of holes immediately below. A descriptionof the interior isnotpossible, the key being keptsome distance away. A second interesting dovecote will be foundat Preston Mains, a
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectpigeons, bookyear1920
