A tenth pigeon has been stolen from Newhailes House and Gardens, owned and run by the National Trust for Scotland.
An as-of-yet unidentified thief struck on Saturday at the country house in Musselburgh, making off with one of the collection of knitted and crocheted pigeons that line “the Doocot” on the estate.
The handmade birds are donated by visitors and have become a target for sticky-fingered thieves, with their stolen numbers now numbering into the double digits.
The Trust has even been forced to take drastic measures, recently tying the pigeons down in an effort to stop people stealing them.
Sadly, this has not worked in the case of Jupiter, who has now been plucked from his perch.
In a post online yesterday, a spokesperson for the Trust explained: “We are truly saddened today, people have taken some of our pigeons. Yesterday, our tenth pigeon was stolen from the Doocot.
“We recently had to tie the pigeons down to try and prevent them from being taken. Sadly, this hasn’t deterred someone from removing the ties and even what they were attached to and taking Jupiter.
“These beautiful pigeons have been lovingly handmade and donated to us by our visitors. People have given their time, creativity and money to make these wonderful pieces for everyone to enjoy.
“It is incredibly disappointing that someone feels they can simply take them. Please don’t be that person. Please don’t take them. They are not yours.
“Let’s respect the time, generosity and kindness of the people who created and donated them, and allow everyone to enjoy them at the Doocot.
“If you have got one of our flock, we would very much like them returned.”
Some fans of Newhailes have suggested that the estate put up CCTV cameras – or at the very least a sign attempting to warn off would-be thieves.
Other more enterprising souls said that the Trust should staff the doocot and sell them.
One person said: Maybe put up a CCTV sign, just to deter people from stealing them.”
Another replied: “It is shocking the way people treat things and act, though not everyone. Hope they are returned.”
A third added: “This is so sad to read. As one who knits pigeons, I know how much time and energy goes into making each one. If the thief has any heart, they will hand it back, but I am perhaps expecting too much.”
Another commented: “Sounds like the Doocot should be manned and you sell them. Fantastic fundraising opportunity. Karma will come round to those people who have stolen them.”
A fifth said: “Start scanning all National Trust cards so that you have a record of who is going into the area, but I do think CCTV is the best idea unfortunately you can’t rely on people to have a conscience and only look and not touch or take.”
Speaking today, Anna Hughes, visitor services manager at Newhailes House, said: “We launched the project in Easter, we were inspired by a similar project at Preston Tower [in Prestonpans].
“We record everyone who has contributed and the name of their pigeons, and do a head count every now and again. They’ve been going missing sporadically, I think people may just take a fancy to them and feel the need to take them.
“The community have been extremely generous with their time and commitment to the project. It’s not only sad for us to see, but for those who have contributed coming to see their creations in their new home to then find them missing is really disheartening.”
The thefts are the latest in a spate of problems at Newhailes, with the estate previously having had graffiti sprayed over its popular mural, severe damage inflicted to a life-saving public defibrillator and its housing and over 25 panes of 17th-century glass in the mansion smashed by vandals.
If anyone wishes to knit or crochet a pigeon of their own to add to Newhailes’ collection, they should contact: [email protected]
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