The History & Reuse of Doocots - Historic Environment Scotland Blog

Doocots have a fascinating history from medieval pigeon homes to noted architectural gems. Explore the evolution, cultural significance and innovative reuse and restorations of the Scottish “dovecots”.

Historic Environment Scotland Blog
I'd best 'fess up to what these are. A few replies have mentioned pigeons, and that is what they are for; in Scots parlance they are #doocots (dove cots), these ones fortified. However, they have nothing to do with pigeon racing, rather they are a cultural & social phenomenon where the sport is to lure birds from neighbouring doocots. It's complicated but here is a fine essay by Douglas Stuart on their cultural significance. https://lithub.com/douglas-stuart-on-the-defiant-spirit-of-glasgows-doocots-private-pigeon-lofts-on-public-land/
Douglas Stuart on the Defiant Spirit of Glasgow’s Doocots, Private Pigeon Lofts on Public Land

I couldn’t help myself, I was fascinated by them. In the mornings, I took a meandering route to school just to see the shanty-like doocots that sat on the periphery of our housing scheme. I was tra…

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