Every weekend in September, the Doors Open Day events offer the Scottish public free access to hundreds of properties across the country – fire stations, churches, places of historical importance and even a tour of the Irn Bru factory – although it’s now fully booked for this year!
This weekend, 12th & 13th September 2015, the focus is on Aberdeen City, Central Fife, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Highlands (Easter Ross, Wester Ross, Black Isle and Sutherland), Inverclyde, Midlothian, Stirling, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.
Here’s where we might be found this weekend.
Aberdeen City: Music Hall
The building has quite a past. If you are interested in architecture, you might be familiar with the local architect Archibald Simpson. If not, go along and what he is famous for. The volume of traffic over the last 30 years – over 4 million visitors and more than 5,000 events and concerts – has taken its toll on the building. Set to undergo a £7 million transformation, take this chance to explore before it closes until late 2017.
Central Fife: Kirkcaldy Town House
This building was started in 1939 but not completed until 1956. It has a Scandinavian influence and has recently been overhauled for 21st century use. It’s particularly well known for the huge stairwell mural by Walter Pritchard so look out for that.
Image: www.flickr.com/secretpilgrimEast Renfrewshire: Greenbank House and Gardens
Found in the south side of Glasgow, Greenbank Garden is described as an inspirational and peaceful attraction. Put simply, it’s really pretty and well worth a wander round. You might be inspired to grow some of the more unusual plants in your own garden or just be impressed with what you see there. One that even the locals might not even know about.
Highland (Easter Ross, Wester Ross, Black Isle and Sutherland): Ballone Castle
Ballone Castle was built on the cliff edge above the raised beach, and has dramatic views out across the Moray Firth. Over the years it has been extended to create a brew house and bakery. There will be guided tours but you don’t need to book in advance and the garden will also be open to make the most of those views.
East Dunbartonshire: Mugdock Castle
The castle sits on a volcanic ridge on the edge of Mugdock Loch. Although mostly a ruin, the castle’s South West Tower has been rebuilt. The lands form part of Mugdock Country Park and the ruins are publicly accessible. The remaining tower has been renovated as a museum so there is plenty to see here.
Image: www.flickr.com/cosmicsmudgeInverclyde: Dutch Gable House
The Dutch Gable House is an unusual and well known building in Greenock’s historic William Street town quarter. It has the honour of being the oldest surviving house in the town and promises stories of family history, folklore and sea shanties.
South Lanarkshire: Brownsbank Cottage
Overlooking the Peeblesshire hills, Brownsbank Cottage was the home of writer Hugh MacDiarmid. It has been restored just as MacDiarmid had left it. If you are in need of some literary inspiration, or maybe just a bit nosy, this cottage seems like a good place to visit this weekend. Past writers-in-residence have included award-winning writer and publisher Matthew Fitt and the first Scottish Parliament Writer in Residence, James Robertson.
Midlothian: Old Penicuik House
Penicuik House has undergone a 6 year project. The second phase has now commenced and will involve more conservation and repair of its features, including the Roman Bridge. It’s also a great spot for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Stirling: Stirling Old Town Jail
Hear tales of Stirling’s heroes and villains and take a journey through the grim and gruesome history of crime and punishment in this Royal Burgh. This impressive building was constructed to house prisoners after the Tolbooth was declared the worst jail in Britain. In the new and improved jail, each convict was assigned their own cell, to encourage reflection and repentance, and every effort was made to reform and rehabilitate with a strict regime of solitude, labour, coarse food and discomfort. All sounds quite horrible – not somewhere you would want to stay but sounds like an interesting family day out.
Image: www.flickr.com/witsuphamungmee
West Lothian: Annet House Museum and Garden
Annet House was originally built by a merchant in the town and the museum tells the story of Linlithgow and its people. Known for its terraced 4-level garden behind the museum, go along to see herbs, fruit trees and bushes which might have been found in the garden of the past.
North Lanarkshire: Stuart House multi-storey flats
Stuart House is the Tallest Multi Storey Block of Flats in Cumbernauld. The top floor flat has excellent views of the town and surrounding countryside. If you have never been in a multi storey or want to relive your childhood, take this opportunity to visit this top flat before it’s demolished for the new housing.
The full programme of events and more information about what is happening in your area can be found at the Doors Open Day website.