2015-07-14 (Day 195) Linlithgow Doocot

This doocot apparently dates from the 16th century, though the attractive gardens are much newer, built to commemorate Linlithgow's Provost Learmonth, who held the post from 1802 to 1807.

According to "Lothia Life" the doocot has a sinister sotry. In June 1699 Baron Ross went to the doocot, but found that the entrance was blocked by a child's shoe. Inside, bloodstains and a child's clothing.

Only Baron Ross and his gardener held keys to the doocot. Six months earlier the gardener's daughter had been found dead, and a deaf mute from the village had been convicted of the crime. But how could the deaf mute have been able to get into the doocot?

When presented with the evidence, the gardener (Mowbray) confessed the crime. With food scarce he had killed his daughter when unable to feed her. Mowbray was later hanged in Edinburgh.