Preston House doocot

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 25 Jun 2010

"In the feudal society of the early 15th century, the pigeonhouse was considered the legal right in Scotland of all abbeys, monasteries, castles and baronies. Early legislation encouraged the construction of doocots and offered protection to the owners. In 1424 it was decreed that 'destroyers of pigeonhouses' were to be punished as severely as 'stealers of the green wood by night' or 'peelers of bark to the destruction of the trees', and the penalty was a fine to be paid to the king. Further laws followed, and in 1503 the parents of children who broke into pigeonhouses risked the fine of two-thirds of a pound, whilst the child would be given up to a judge to be 'lashed, whipped and beaten according to his crime'. By 1567 shooting at the laird's pigeons was punishable by forty days in prison, and a second offence might mean the loss of one's right hand. Under King James VI penalties became even harsher: eight days in the stocks and a £10 fine for a first offence rose to a £40 fine for a third offence. If he did not pay the offender was likely to be 'hung to death'. Even sentences as harsh as these did little to deter the hungry poor." -- T Buxbaum, Scottish Doocots, Shire Publications 1987

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