Dovecot, Main Street, Athelstaneford

This is a 1583 dovecote, located to the northwest of the church in Athelstaneford, East Lothian. It is a lectern dovecote—a type designed to allow the keeper to reach all boxes from a central point. The dovecote is constructed of random rubble with stugged dressings, now with patchy harl render. It features two rat courses (rows of small stones to prevent rodent access), with a small opening above the first course on the south side. The gables are crowstepped and support a grey slate lean-to roof, which has 14 flight holes across the middle. The dovecote contains 600 nesting boxes. Above the west doorway are the initials "CH", which are likely associated with the Hepburn family of Smeaton-Hepburn, Prestonkirk.