Dovecot, Midhope is a Grade B listed building in the West Lothian local planning authority area, Scotland. First listed on 22 February 1971.

Dovecot, Midhope

WRENN ID: crumbling-footing-raven
Grade: B
Local Planning Authority: West Lothian
Constituency: Bathgate and Linlithgow MP: Kirsteen Sullivan (Lab)
Country: Scotland
Date first listed: 22 February 1971
OS grid reference: NT 073 786
Coordinates: 55.99148, -3.48667
Source: Historic Environment Scotland listing

Also on this page: flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

This is a large dovecote, dating to the later 17th century. It is built of random rubble and has a lean-to roof covered in slate, featuring two piended dormers, each with 14 flight-holes. A corbie step runs along the roofline, and there is a string course. The entrance is inscribed with the initials 'J.L.'.

Inside, the dovecote comprises two chambers containing 993 and 1013 individual nest-holes. It was likely constructed for James, who was the 4th Earl of Callendar and later became the 5th Earl of Linlithgow in 1695.

Local climate

Dovecot, Midhope receives an average of 950 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 73% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 55% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 42 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 80% of listed buildings. Of these, 22 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

Dovecot, Midhope

Description

Local climate

More on this building

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