Pittendreich Dovecot

This is a probably 16th-century dovecot, situated near Pittendreich. The dovecot is almost square in plan, measuring approximately 20 feet by 19 feet 6 inches (6.10 meters by 5.80 meters). It is constructed of harled rubble with clay mortar. A low door is located in the south elevation, and it appears to have been designed for both external and internal opening. There is a blocked vent positioned above the door. The roof is double-pitched and composed of large flagstones, supported by two stone arches with stone purlins, incorporating two low ridge openings to allow bird access. The roof is finished with stone ball finials.

Inside, the dovecot contains over 800 good stone nesting boxes, and a later tie beam has been added. The roof construction is notably unusual. The dovecot’s design is similar to that of the dovecote at nearby New Spynie, and no other comparable examples are known. The flat skews on the roof are likely later replacements. The structure was restored in 1920 and 1927. It is of group value, representing a significant example of its type. References to the building can be found in R Douglas's The Dovecotes of Moray (1931) and Elizabeth Beaton's The Doocots of Moray (1978).