Auchernach House Doocot, Auchernach

Unusual circular dovecot with finialled conical roof and low, symmetrical, rectangular-plan, pavilion-roofed wings, sited to NE of Auchernach walled garden; converted to silo, now ruinous. Snecked rubble with contrasting squared rubble long and short margins and quoins. Ashlar band course and slate alighting ledge, early grey slates. Entrance to S with later concrete shaft projecting over doorway. Henhouse pavilion wing to W (roof largely intact) with centre door and small hen entrance close to ground at right; interior with nesting recesses. Wing to E ruinous.

Auchernach dovecot is a good example of an early style, and an important element in the compact policies which would have incorporated house, walled garden, cottage, mill steading and lodges. Lieut General Nathaniel Forbes replaced the old house, retaining some of the earlier fabric, and built the outstanding walled garden in 1809. However, it is quite possible stylistically for the dovecote to pre-date these additions. Although abandoned for many years, the dovecot is remarkably intact and the silo conversion is reversible. (Historic Scotland)

November 2002: Local planners refuse permissions for a new-build house within the walled garden due to a lack of guarantees that the new-build will be linked to the restoration of the walled garden and doocot. 7 March 2003: The Donside Piper reports that a new application has been lodged, with the owner willing to enter into a legal agreement to ensure the restoration of the garden and doocot. Historic Scotland has approved the plans. However, there remain concerns the ability to raise the estimated £300,000 required. A decision has been deferred to allow the owner to submit detailed costings.

August 2007: Applications (ref: APP/2002/0020 & APP/2002/0021) for the erection of a dwellinghouse were withdrawn August 2007)

January 2008: External inspection finds the doocot, although in very poor condition, 2/3 rds of the roof is intact. Urgent repairs to the roof and masonry are required to make the building wind and water tight.

August 2010: External inspection finds the building in poor state with pavilion roofs collapsing.

7 August 2013: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition.