HADDINGTONSHIRE 



The nests are to a large extent filled in. An 

 ordinary ladder gives access to most of them; 

 but, high in the gable-ridge and in the addi- 

 tion already described, there is a small potence, 

 carried by a beam which runs across the house. 

 It is difficult to suggest an explanation of the 

 curious addition to this dovecote. It adds very 

 little to the accommodation; it is exceedingly 

 clumsy and top-heavy in appearance; and, as 

 seen by the introduction of arches, it called for 

 drastic measures for its safe support. There, 

 however, it is, defying conjecture, silently hid- 

 ing its strange origin. 



If, in returning from Dunbar to Edinburgh, 

 we keep as far as possible beside theintervening 

 stretch of iron coast, we shall soon come upon 

 a dovecote which, is probably well known to 

 many a visitor — that at Tantallon's still im- 

 posing although ruined hold. Here, opposite 

 the castle's entrance, in a field still guarded by 

 a ditch and mound, we find a fine old dovecote 

 of the oblong shape; placed but a stone's-throw 

 from the edge of the sheer cliff on which Tan- 

 tallon stands, above the shore on which the 

 North Sea thunders without pause. 



269 



