Darleith House Doocot, Cardross

Whinstone and sandstone rubble with partial harl; some cement repointing; quoins; ashlar margined windows. Rectangular-plan with telescopic dovecot tower; weathervane finial. MAIN ELEVATION: pedimented entrance; eaves course, ashlar coping to skews; console moulded skewputts. Broad door, possibly enlarged; modern lintel inserted. Telescopic tower rising from rear half of block; square-plan base; blocked window at rear elevation, window to side. 2-stage circular-plan upper portion, lower stage with window to main and side. Upper stage capped by conical slate roof, flight holes on rear side. Grey slate roof; ashlar coping to skews ivy-covered.

The dovecot is sited near Darleith House along the line of an old avenue (Historic Scotland)

February 1990: Historic Scotland describes the doocot as in a poor state of repair. August 1999: Local planners report that the doocot is in a deteriorating condition. May 2006: Wright and Crawford Solicitors, Paisley report that they had in the past acted for the owner of the Dovecot. However they confirm that the owner has been in America for some years and they have no current instruction from him, they understand that he remains in ownership of it.

October 2008: External inspection finds the building in a poor state. Both sections of roof have suffered partial collapses. There is extensive vegetation growth on all walls of the building. However, there is evidence of repair to the timber door lintel and there is no marked deterioration since last photographed for SCT.

December 2009: SCT is contacted by a member of the public advising the hole developed in the turret is gradually increasing.

25 October 2012: External inspection finds the hole in the roof is slowly increasing in size.

22 January 2021: BARR is contacted by the owner of the doocot. Having recently returned to Scotland, the owners intend to pursue the long-term restoration of the building themselves - as such the property would not be available for sale. Stabilisation work around the ground floor entrance is advised to have been completed.