CHAPTER TWENTY 

 HADDINGTONSHIRE 



For those who would see something of the 

 dovecotes to be found outside the capital, yet 

 lack the time to journey far afield, no better 

 plan can well be recommended than a little tour 

 in Haddington, a county where an ample har- 

 vest may be gleaned. With this in view we 

 leave the train at Prestonpans. 



First comes the circular example close to 

 Northfield House, a delightful building of the 

 early seventeenth century,the date upon the lin- 

 tel of the door being i6i i, to which isadded the 

 motto, ''Unless the Lord build, in vain builds 

 man." In truth the house, with gables, over- 

 hanging turrets, and quaint corners upon every 

 side, ismoreattractive than thedovecote, which 

 presents no very special charm. 1 1 is a large, sub- 

 stantial, circular building of stone, with three 

 string-courses and a vaulted roof. 



On turning to the right a few yards down the 

 road, we come to Preston Tower. Its gaunt 

 ruin stands in a market-garden in the north- 

 east corner ofwhich isadovecote worth apause. 

 It is of oblong form, with lean-to roof and one 



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