Dovecot, Forse House

This is an earlier 18th century dovecote, originally part of Forse House. The building is a double-chamfered "lectern" dovecote constructed of harl pointed rubble with ashlar dressings. The south elevation features a paired set of centre doors with plain chamfered jambs. There are three rat ledges on the rear wall, with the central ledge forming an eaves cornice on the south elevation and encircling the base of the building; these ledges are stepped at the east and west gables. Two sets of flight holes are set within small swept dormers. The roof is covered with Caithness slate, and the apex is crowned with ball finials on small square plinths, alongside a central oggee finial featuring a thistle motif and a weather vane. The structure also incorporates crowsteps. Inside, the dovecote contains 408 stone boxes, each with a projecting alighting slab. The dovecote is described in detail by Elizabeth Beaton in The Doocots of Caithness (1980), and is also referenced in the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland inventory of Caithness (1911).