English: A classic 'bee-hive'-style doocot with rat courses (to prevent vermin climbing in), containing 1,000 nesting boxes arranged in 28 tiers.
"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 Vl 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
to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
share alike – If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same or compatible license as the original.