BOOK OF DOVECOTES 



compartment only; the higher wall adorned by 

 three stone pillars capped with balls. The 

 gable- walls are crow-stepped; pains were evid- 

 ently taken with the appearance of the whole. 



Now down the hill until we reach the wind- 

 ing tramway running between Musselburgh 

 and Port Seton. Here, in a brewer's yard upon 

 the very margin of the Firth of Forth, are two 

 more dovecotes; tall, not specially attractive 

 buildings, one of which at least is sliding down 

 the easy road to ruin. They are of interest from 

 the fact that they stand close together — bare- 

 ly fifteen yards apart; a situation possibly ac- 

 counted for by the fact thattwo different abbeys 

 — Holyrood and Newbattle — formerly held 

 lands in the district. 



Returning to the station, Tranent church is 

 visible upon the hillside, lying a mile away to 

 the south-east. As we approach it we shall see 

 the dovecote just below the churchyard wall. 

 This is of special interest, being one of the old- 

 est dated examples in Scotland; 1587 is the 

 date upon the lintel, where we also make out 

 the name "David Sitoun," There are the traces 

 of anothername upon a stone a little higher up, 

 258 



