Dovecot, Pitadro

This is a late 17th to early 18th century dovecot, a rectangular, single-chambered building designed in a lectern shape, measuring 4.7 metres long and 4.1 metres wide. It is situated on a slope facing south and is now roofless. The dovecot is constructed from random rubble stone with hammer-dressed quoins, a projecting ledge that steps out on the flanks, a moulded eaves course on the south side, and beaked skewputts at the corners. A timber boarded door is set within a chamfered stone surround on the south side. There are circular holes for birds to fly in above the door and on the eastern and western flanks. The dovecot contains 609 stone nesting boxes.

It is part of a group with Fordell Castle (located 183 metres to the east) and the gardens to the west. Historic records indicate that the dovecot originally had a slated roof and ball finials, though it was recorded as roofless by Historic Scotland in 1973. While the main structure appears stable, it is currently being overgrown by vegetation within a wooded area.

The history of the land reveals that during the reign of David II (1329-1371), it was held by Margaret Lovell, later succeeded by the Echlines (1457-1609), then John Monypenny of Pitmilly. The Hendersons of Fordell acquired the lands in 1680, and the original Pitadro mansion house (located to the north of the dovecot) likely fell into disuse shortly after. The dovecot was probably built after the lands were incorporated into the Fordell estate.