Bid to restore listed doocot takes flight after £50k cash boost

A bid to bring a Fife doocot back to its former glory has received a cash boost.

Boarhills and Dunino Community Trust has been granted a conditional award of £49,700 from the Fife Environment Trust towards the restoration of the B-listed doocot on the Trust’s land at Boarhills, which was the subject of a community right to buy in 2018.

The plot was purchased with assistance from the Scottish Land Fund with the intention of creating a green space that could be used by the community and visitors, on the popular Fife Coastal Path.

Proposals to revamp the doocot, which is believed to date back to the 17th Century, were at the heart of the Trust’s wider ambitions and the funding is a huge step towards breathing new life into the area.

Louise Roger, from Boarhills and Dunino Community Trust, said Fife is famed for its doocots but a significant proportion are in a poor state of repair.

“It was always our intention to make the building open and accessible to all once restored, so we can share this fabulous aspect of Fife’s heritage,” she said.

Since the land was purchased, the local community has transformed the site from derelict scrub-covered land to a well-kept community orchard.

A hedge has been planted and the intention is to provide seating and orientation information for walkers.

However, the community identified restoring the doocot from its current dilapidated state as a priority.

Together with local fundraising events, just under £68,000 has been secured, with additional awards from the St Andrews Community Trust and St Andrews Heritage Trust.

The eventual target is £78,000, based on fully costed plans for the full restoration, and further funds are being sought so that the work can get under way early next year.