The Dirleton Dovecot

Some pictures of the Dirleton dovecot ("Taubenschlag"), a building to house doves, which were an important food source in the middle ages.






Apparently, the possession of doves was a symbol of status and power in Medieval Europe and the theft of a dove was severely punished. Only nobility had the privilege of having a dovecot. And the doves happily built their nests inside the dovecot - harvesting both eggs and meat was a piece of cake. (Some animals appear to be very thick indeed).