AROUND EDINBURGH 



less been in place for many years; but it is 

 questionable if it was for pigeons, rather than 

 as a look-out station or advanced-post, that the 

 tower was designed. 



For those who care to see, not a true dove- 

 cote, but an ancient tower which has been 

 adapted to that use, the walk may be con- 

 tinued down the Dalkeith Road until the little 

 town is nearly reached. Upon our left, at 

 Sheriffhall, among a group of pleasant houses, 

 is a high square tower which has certainly 

 formed part of other buildings. 



It has been fitted as a dovecote, being lined 

 from floor to roof with wooden nests. Further, 

 not onlyis the woodwork ingeniously arranged 

 in octagonal form, but a potence, still in ex- 

 cellent condition, will be found. Unlike the 

 more orthodox pattern, however, it carries its 

 ladder in an absolutely perpendicular position, 

 not upon a slope. 



This dovecote is quite populous. Asked 

 whose the pigeons are that make their exit 

 with no little tumult as we open the old rusted 

 iron door, the lady of the house at which the 

 key is kept replies that she would fancy they 



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