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Doors Open Days is over for another year!

Join us in 2025 to celebrate the places and stories of Scotland. 

 

In Person

Highland – Caithness & Sutherland

8 Doors Distillery

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

8 Doors Distillery in John O'Groats was established in 2022 by husband and wife Derek and Kerry Campbell, and is the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland. The distillery is producing the first Single Malt Scotch Whisky in that area since 1837. His Majesty, The King, officially opened the distillery on 2 August 2023.  Whilst the team wait for their own Single malt to mature, they have released a range of independent small batch and single cask whisky bottlings under the brand name of 'Seven Sons'. The distillery has just also released its blended liqueur product called “Five Ways” - a smooth liqueur made with blended scotch whisky, hints of ginger, honey, orange and spices. Both products are available to buy in the distillery’s shop. The shop is in the distillery’s whisky lounge which is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a dram or coffee with a view.
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Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Libraries Headquarters

new

21 September 2024

Live Life Aberdeenshire Libraries facility is a purpose-built headquarters with the local public library on site. The building is the central distribution point for the circulation of books and resources to the 32 libraries across Aberdeenshire. This working warehouse is the hub of the service, also providing resources to primary and academy schools, HMP Grampian, Care Homes, and to our Doorstep Delivery customers. Headquarters is also home to Live Life Aberdeenshire’s Local Studies centre which has a wealth of resources available to those with an interest in exploring their local and community heritage, including a collection of local themed books, newspapers, photographs, maps, and many resources to support genealogy research.
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Clackmannanshire

Alloa Hub

new

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

Alloa Hub is a community-owned and run facility in the centre of Alloa. It offers display retail space to the “Made in Clacks” range of locally made artisan gifts and goods for small businesses which do not have their own premises. A range of books on local and Scottish themes is also available and the facilities include What's On information for local people and visitors, a meeting/project room, public toilets and shower. Alloa Hub is also home to The Clackmannanshire Tapestry, a fascinating and colourful work stitched by local people as a response to the showing of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in the Speirs Centre in 2017. The tapestry, which is 2.5m long, depicts some of the most important industries of the county, as well as historic and cultural sites and attractions and many other features which held particular significance for the individual stitchers.

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2024 Theme

Clackmannanshire

Alloa Mosque

new

28 September 2024

Alloa Mosque (Musalla as Salaam) is a welcoming Sunni mosque established in 2003. It has been serving the spiritual needs of the local Muslim community for over two decades. It focusses on inclusivity and accommodating diverse backgrounds, welcoming people of all - and no - faiths and offers a range of services, including prayer, worship and Islamic education. It provides services in English, Arabic and Urdu and aims to cater for the needs of a multicultural community, allowing people to feel comfortable and connected during their visits. There will be guided tours; question and answer sessions; a presentation; information about and an exhibition focussing on the historic links between Scotland and the Muslim World; as well as a chance to meet members of the local Muslim community. A virtual tour of Makkah (Mecca), Islam’s holiest site, will also be available.

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Clackmannanshire

Alloa Old Kirkyard and Mar & Kellie Mausoleum

new

28 September 2024

The parish church of St Mungo was established in the 14th century. It was enlarged and the tower raised in 1680-2 by the master mason Tobias Bauchop, whose house, built in 1695, still stands in Kirkgate. Around 1700, John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, built a private aisle with a burial vault on the north side of the church. He was exiled after leading the 1715 Jacobite Uprising in Scotland; in his later years he planned his own elaborate memorial to be erected in the church. He died in 1732, his body was brought home and he was buried in the family vault, but the memorial was never built. St Mungo's later became very overcrowded and was condemned in 1816: most of it was demolished and many stones were reused to build the new parish church in Bedford Place. The Mar & Kellie Mausoleum was designed by James Gillespie Graham for John Francis Erskine and was built on the site of the Mar Aisle. Some memorial plaques for members of the Erskine family were saved from the old kirk and reused in the mausoleum, the original ceiling of which was painted brightly and decorated with flowers and Rococo panels. It was partly restored in 1994-6. The old kirkyard contains a fascinating collection of early trade gravestones and fine memorials for many of the people responsible for the development of Alloa as one of Britain’s earliest industrial towns.

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Clackmannanshire

Alloa The Gate Charity

new

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

The Gate Charity was formerly a church designed by the Alloa -based architect Thomas Frame & Son and is in neo- Gothic style. It has a semi-octagonal apse at the south end and a large rose window in its north wall. The internal roof structure and ceiling are quite elaborate. It still has a north gallery and its original pews and pulpit. There are two stained glass windows in the apse, one dating to 1921 and quite worn, the other of 1937, with figures of Christ and St Andrew. This was moved from the West Free (later Chalmers) Church in Bank Street in 1970. The building ceased to be a church and has been altered and improved to accommodate projects to meet growing community needs. The main refurbishment, completed in 2023, finally realised the vision to create the space and environment to offer a real ‘Community Hub.’ with the opportunity to offer more projects, including sustainable ones which generate additional income, ensuring that The Gate Charity can continue to support local people for years to come. The kitchen was extended to allow more food-related projects to be offered, including a Community Café with an improved menu; the capability to run cookery classes and a catering service for both internal and external meetings and events. There are also better facilities to house the Café Xtra project, which provides, for a modest cost, lunches delivered to people's homes by friendly volunteers who offer a valuable welfare check, The latest initiative was to buy a small catering van enabling the supply of hot food to serve at Larder locations (a mobile Soup Pot). There have been recent trials of cooking surplus food stocks to deliver free nutritious meals to families; the first trip supplied ‘mince and tatties’ to over twenty adults and children in Sauchie and Clackmannan. They were extremely well received. We now offer free and delicious hot food various locations across the county on a fortnightly basis. The building also has a large conference/multipurpose activity room and an interview room, well equipped and furnished, thanks to generous donations, which allows us to hold meetings, run training courses, events, and fundraising activities. There will be guided tours and the chance to take part in small taster sessions of the services that we offer to the community.
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2024 Theme

Clackmannanshire

Alva Old Kirkyard and Johnstone Mausoleum

28 September 2024

The church of St Serf was rebuilt in 1632 but was demolished after a fire in 1985. It's ‘footprint’ remains, along with early gravestones in the kirkyard. The Erskine family had a burial vault beneath the church. The Johnstone Mausoleum was designed by Robert and James Adam for John Johnstone (1734–1795), who bought the Alva estate from James Erskine, Lord Alva, in 1775. Johnstone built the mausoleum in 1791. Johnstone, his wife and six of their descendants are buried in the original mausoleum: an eastern extension was added in the 19th century to accommodate additional burials. The mausoleum, which is owned and maintained by Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust,  has been restored and a glass roof has replaced the pitched roof of the 19th century extension.

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Aberdeenshire

Banff Parish Church

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Banff Parish Church originates from 1789 and was designed by Andrew Wilson architect and builder. The iconic spire that can be seen in the landscape was added by William Robertson in 1849. The spire stands majestically on top of a tower constructed in tooled and polished ashlar. The chancel was later added and the interior altered in 1929. A small chapel was created at the rear of the church in 1994. The pulpit, font, communion table and stained glass in the chancel were all gifted in 1929. Take a moment out of your busy Doors Open Days adventure to stop and contemplate within the walls of this magnificent category B listed church in the heart of Banff.
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2024 Theme

Dumfries and Galloway

Barholm Castle

8 September 2024

Barholm Castle is a traditional Scottish tower house situated 300 feet above sea level overlooking Wigtown Bay and the Machars of Wigtownshire. It may have been constructed in several stages and consists of a rectangular tower with its earliest origins probably dating from the late 15th century and a later stair tower built on the NE side, probably late in the 16th century. It was originally built and owned by a branch of the local McCulloch family. It is reputed to have been a hiding place in 1566 of the well known figure of the Scottish reformation John Knox (1514-1572). The castle fell into disuse and disrepair in the mid-18th century. It was restored for residential use between 2003 and 2005. Barholm Castle is now in use as a private family home and is only occasionally open for visits.

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2024 Theme

Edinburgh

Barnton Bunker

new

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

Historically, the bunker was constructed and used as a strategic base of operations for the military during WWII, and then developed into a three-story-deep nuclear bunker during the Cold War era--to ensure the royal family would have a secure place to retreat to in the event of nuclear warfare or fallout in the UK. Today, after decades of disuse, vandalism and neglect, it has come under the protection of the volunteer-operated Barnton Bunker Preservation Society {a registered charity organization--SCIO - SC052353} and is steadily growing into the place we have envisioned; a multi-purpose complex where the arts, immersive experiences, and everyday imagination can grow and thrive.
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2024 Theme

Aberdeenshire

Beannachar Camphill Community

new

21 September 2024

Beannachar (formerly Banchory House) is a large mansion house on the South Deeside Road, designed by John Smith, renowned Aberdeen architect, and completed in 1839. It is now home to a thriving Camphill community for young adults with additional support needs, offering both residential and day services. Beannachar is located near the northern foot of the ancient route linking Aberdeen to the south: Causey Mounth. At the time that the mansion was built, the owners were deeply connected to leading figures and major current themes in society: the reforms of the kirk; the growth of scientific research and the interest in anthropology and archaeology. Since 1979 the main link and connection has been with the Camphill communities, both local and worldwide, and through its daily life and work with countless local individuals and organisations.
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North Lanarkshire

Bellshill Central Parish Church

28 September 2024

The main Bellshill Central Parish Church building is the former Macdonald Memorial Chirch and was designed by David Clunas and constructed in 1876. It is described as a Gothic, gabled rectangular-plan church with set-back gabletted buttresses with pairs of Gothic rectangular windows with inverted rounded corners and vertical stone mullions, on both upper and lower levels. It is set back from the main road and the principal elevation has a pointed-arch timber panelled door to centre. Bellshill Central Parish Church was formed in March 2014 when the former Macdonald Memorial and Orbiston Parish Churches were united as one. Part of the outreach of the former Orbiston Parish Church is the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre which provides a community focus for adults and young people.
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Aberdeenshire

Bennachie Visitor Centre

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

The Visitor Centre is managed and maintained by the Bennachie Centre Trust, a voluntary organisation and registered charity. The Centre, which is open daily April-October, provides a focus for visitors to discover Bennachie and increase their understanding and enjoyment of the social, cultural and natural history of the area. We provide exhibition space, educational materials, multi-media interpretation, and act as a focus for public events and activities as well as community initiatives. Entry is fully accessible and free, as are most events and activities. Our facilities include toilets (open all year round), a community room, refreshments, and a gift shop. 
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2024 Theme

South Lanarkshire

Biggar Youth Project SCIO - The Old Auction Ring

new

7 September 2024

Built in the late 1800s, until 2001 The Old Auction Ring was the focus of Biggar’s livestock market and was also used for furniture sales. The premises were converted into a youth centre in 2002 and are currently undergoing an extensive renovation to a design by Fraser/Livingston Architects. Renovation has uncovered some forgotten features including the bell used to announce the start of auctions, and incorporates cutting edge retrofitting technology including solar PV panels, an air-source heat pump and hemp-based wall insulation to improve energy efficiency. Biggar Youth Project is a local charity which uses a modern approach to youth work to provide a nurturing environment that promotes the wellbeing of young people in Biggar and the surrounding area.
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2024 Theme

Highland – Caithness & Sutherland

Brora Heritage Centre

new

21 - 22 September 2024

Brora Heritage Centre has an eclectic mix of artefacts, images and stories of Brora’s unique Highland industrial history. There’s even a reconstruction of the old coal mine for you to explore. Having Britain’s most northerly coal mine, this rich resource fuelled a range of spin-off industries, including the making of bricks, whisky, tweed and salt. Nowhere in the Highlands is there a place like Brora and the centre tells the story of this remarkable hidden gem in Scotland’s north. BHC is run by Clyne Heritage Society, a very active heritage group, based in the village of Brora (in the parish of Clyne) on the east coast of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. The fully constituted Society was formed in 1998 by a group of people living in the parish who were interested in preserving Clyne’s fascinating and quickly disappearing heritage, e.g. demolition of coal mine in 1981 and Hunter’s Woollen Mill in 2004. The Society has acquired registered charitable status; it is made up of a committee of 8 and currently has a membership of over 200 people, spread far and wide. We are actively involved in supporting all heritage matters within our own parish, and we are also concerned in the wider heritage affairs of the whole of the County of Sutherland.

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Argyll & Bute

Castle House Museum, Dunoon

21 September 2024

Situated in Castle Gardens, Castle House Museum is at the heart of history in Dunoon. Our main display area takes visitors on a chronological journey through the rich history of our town, from Neolithic times to twentieth century wartime. Key exhibits here include the life of Robert Burns' companion Highland Mary, the history of The Clan Lamont, and the growing popularity of Dunoon as a holiday resort from the 1890s onwards, being a key destination of those travelling 'doon the watter' on the steamers. Our Victorian Rooms are realistic room-set reconstructions which show life in the Victorian era: the clocks are ticking and the plants are growing! Our cinema room shows a short presentation of pictures of Dunoon and the surrounding areas in the past and compares these to recent times.

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Highland – Caithness & Sutherland

Castletown Mill

21 September 2024

In November 2020, Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd owned and managed by Caithness husband-and-wife team Claire and Martin Murray purchased Castletown Mill with the intention of conserving and revitalising the building and surrounding environs into a craft whisky distillery and historic environment visitor attraction. Castletown Mill was once part of the Castlehill Estate developed by Agricultural Improver and Caithness Sheriff (Depute) James Traill of Rattar. Castletown Mill was built by James Traill in 1818-1819 as a starter enterprise for his heir George Traill. The once magnificent 'T-shaped' three storey building with its central kiln block was one of the largest and most imposing mills and grain stores in the North of Scotland.

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Scottish Borders

Channelkirk Church

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

The present church building , Category A listed, is dedicated to St Cuthbert. Regular worship takes place every Sunday. One of its greatest attractions is the glorious views down Lauderdale which enhances the spiritual atmosphere of the site. It was erected in 1817 by James Gillespie Graham in perpendicular gothic style with original canopied pulpit and fittings, battlemented gables and pointed gothic windows. It is also known as the “Mother Church of Lauderdale”. Visit and explore this historic church and churchyard and learn about its history , see the mortsafe, explore the graveyard and enjoy the views.
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2024 Theme

Dundee

City Road Allotments

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

City Road Gardens Association manages the site of allotments at the junction of Pentland Avenue and City Road on the West side of Dundee. The site has 72 plots of various sizes which are rented to local residents and provides them with an area of land to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. The site has a communal hut which members use to meet and hold events and a shop for the purchase of supplies of materials for growing plants and maintaining the plots. We have opportunities for other community groups to use the site for their own activities. Members hold an annual Open Day including a sale of produce, exhibitions and information from associated community groups and provide donations of surplus food and plants to local residents through the free food box at the main site gate.

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Clackmannanshire

Clackmannan Parish Church

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

A place of worship may have been founded on the site as early as AD680. Designed by James Gillespie Graham, this fine building probably replaced the medieval church built on the site in 1249. There have been a number of alterations, but the interior retains many of its original features and impressive stained glass, including the Coronation window, the only one in the county . A plaque by Sir Robert Lorimer commemorates Robert Bruce, Master of Burleigh, who was killed at Le Cateau on 26th August 1914, an early casualty of the First World War. In the kirkyard, some trade gravestones and the large memorial for the Bruce family can be seen.
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2024 Theme

Clackmannanshire

Clackmannan Town Hall

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28 September 2024

Clackmannan Town Hall was built in four phases. The main hall was designed by the Alloa architect Adam Frame, built in 1888 and opened by Lady Balfour. The Art Nouveau-style, red sandstone façade on Main Street, designed by Ebenezer Simpson, was gifted by John Thomson Paton, Chairman of John Paton, Son & Co. Ltd, Kilncraigs Mill, Alloa, who also provided an endowment fund. Completed in 1903, it included a library, funded with a grant from Andrew Carnegie, reading room, billiards and recreation rooms.  Mr Thomson Paton gave it in trust to the Parish Council of the Parish of Clackmannan. In 1927 the local Miners Welfare Fund paid for a western extension, providing a new billiards hall with retiring room. In 1993 a north-eastern extension was added by Clackmannan District Council, to provide a new library and Community Access Point and the building was refurbished. Clackmannan Town Hall Trust, the Clackmannan Heritage Group (formed by members of Clackmannan Community Council and Clackmannan Development Trust) are involved in the hall.
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2024 Theme

Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire Council Archives

28 September 2024

Clackmannanshire Council Archives cares for and provides access to the historical records relating to the county. Many of these records were previously held by the Central Region Archives Department at Stirling. Our archive contains the records of the former County of Clackmannan, Clackmannan District, the old Alloa, Alva, Dollar and Tillicoultry burghs and the Alloa and Hillfoots District Councils. The Archives are housed in the Speirs Centre, which was built as Alloa Public Baths & Gymnasium and opened on 29th April 1898. It was repurposed and reopened on 18th October 2014 and provides a wide range of services, including a library, customer services, registrars, local and family history centre, county archives and exhibitions on the history and heritage of the county. There will be guided tours of the archive store, which is not normally open to the public. A display of archive and local history information relating to the railway and postal services in Clackmannanshire will link with the 2024 theme.
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North Lanarkshire

Colzium House

28 September 2024

Colzium House was built in 1783, it was substantially enlarged in 1861, but much of the original building was pulled down in the late 1940s, due to dry rot, but the Victorian frontage and wings survive to form the house we see today. The museum comprises a single room on the second floor of the house, converted out of the former chapel. The Colzium Lennox Estate is rich in history and includes the excavated remains of a 15th Century L-plan tower house demolished in 1703. Nearby is a traditional Scottish ice-house c.1680 which has been restored and is open for public inspection. Also on the estate is a fine walled garden with numerous interesting shrubs and trees.
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Aberdeenshire

Delgatie Castle

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

A worthwhile visit, Delgatie Castle dates from 1030 and until 1997 was the home of the late Captain Hay of Delgatie. The Castle has mostly been in Hay hands since it was taken from the Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. There is a wonderful connection to Mary Queen of Scots as she resided here for three days after the Battle of Corrichie in 1562.  The turnpike staircase, composed of a series of steps followed by one or more 90 -degree turns, is reputed to be the widest in Scotland. Delgatie Castle is also home to some of the finest painted ceilings in Scotland dating from 1592 and 1597 and they are believed to depict the people who lived in the Castle at the time.  Visitors to the castle will also have the opportunity to view the on monument in Scotland to the Animals of War here at Delgatie Castle.
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Dundee

Dudhope Castle - The Circle Scotland

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

We are a More Than Profit ® business that offers support to the 3rd sector in Dundee and beyond through affordable workspaces, our academy and consultancy. Our Dundee office in the historic Dudhope Castle offers 11 organisations a home in a beautiful park in Dundee. Dudhope Castle is the People’s Castle having been bought with funds raised by the local people of Dundee and gifted to the local authority. It was the former seat of the Constables of Dundee. There has been a fortification on the site from 1298, parts of the current building have been there since 1460 and it has served many varied uses throughout it’s time.

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Dundee

Dundee Rep

28 September 2024

Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre sits at the cultural heart of Dundee as a centre of creative excellence. The Organisation looks outwards, creating and delivering work for local, national and international audiences, with learning at the heart. As a leading force in Scottish theatre, Dundee Rep Theatre has created a number of award-winning and award-nominated productions, including the world premiere of Let the Right One In, The Cheviot, The Stag and The Black, Black Oil, the Scottish premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning August: Osage County, the world premieres of new musicals No Love Songs and Oor Wullie and the 80th Anniversary season world premiere of Peter Arnott’s Tay Bridge. Over the course of nine decades, Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre has been at the heart of performance in Scotland, and grown into a world-class organisation, with two artistic forces based in Dundee, travelling to and reaching the rest of the world.

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Orkney

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)

new

6 September 2024

Established in 2003, the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd is the world’s first and leading facility for demonstrating and testing wave and tidal energy converters – technologies that generate electricity by harnessing the power of waves and tidal streams – in the sea. As a plug-and-play facility EMEC helps reduce the time, cost and risk of testing innovative sustainable technologies. To date, more ocean energy converters have been tested at EMEC than at any other site in the world. Attracting developers from around the globe, EMEC’s facilities help to prove what is achievable in some of the harshest marine environments while in close proximity to sheltered waters and harbours.
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Aberdeenshire

Forgue Old Kirk

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Forgue Old Kirk, a category B listed property designed by the well-respected northeast architect Archibald Simpson. The building stands raised up on a hill overlooking the graveyard and site of the earlier St Margeret’s Church, the dedication taking place prior to the 16th century Scottish Reformation. The Kirk was once the centre of the very large Parish of Forgue but is now a community building opened in 1997. The medieval kirk was demolished in 1819 and rebuilt to the imposing rectangular design of Archibald Simpson and retains a fine presence with its massing and quality stonework. In addition, some fine interior detailing remains including 1819 painted plastered ceiling and remnants of acanthus design stencilling. In 1875 the interior was redecorated, and a new organ was installed. In 1926 the pews and the dais were renewed; the gallery was simplified, and the organ moved from its original central position to the southeast corner.
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Highland – Caithness & Sutherland

Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Forsinard Flows nature reserve, in the far north of Scotland, is a rolling expanse of blanket bog, sheltered straths and mountains. The wild and rugged landscape is part of the Flow Country – one of Scotland’s national treasures. The RSPB is lucky enough to have cared for more than 21,000 hectares of it for over 20 years. Learn more about this vast landscape and the species that live here in our Visitor Centre and take a walk along the Dubh Lochan Trail to discover the Flows for yourself. "On Saturday 21st September, staff and volunteers from the RSPB will be at the Visitor Centre from 10am – 4pm with craft activities and leading guided walks as part of the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival. This is a great opportunity to find out more about the new Flow Country World Heritage Site and explore the incredible landscape of the Flow Country."
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Aberdeenshire

Fraserburgh South Church

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Opened in 1810 for worship, the architect John Bridgeford Pirie along with Arthur Clyne entered a design competition resulting in the commission of Fraserburgh South Church. Located within the Fraserburgh Town conservation area the category B listed church demonstrates a fine example of a blend of white and pink granite and although some historians describe the work as ‘French Gothic’ it is a freestyle architecture of the type that emerged from the High Victorian Era of 1880’s and 1890’s. The tall spire which acts as a landmark on the skyline is detailed with lancet windows and a wooden coffered roof. The interior reflects much of the art Nouveau style that Pirie incorporated into his designs. The navel-like ‘patera’ can be seen as a stylised rose or sunflower. The gallery front is decorated with iron sunflowers. The church hosts the ‘Moses Stone’ which was first sited at Fraserburgh University in the late 1590’s. The interior of the church was refurbished in 2007.
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South Lanarkshire

Gillespie Centre

new

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

The Gillespie (South Relief) Church was constructed in 1878 at a cost of £4200 to house a congregation which had split from the main church in Biggar at St Mary’s. In 1977, it was decided that the old Gillespie Church, which had been closed some years earlier because of merging local congregations, should be converted into a Community Centre serving Biggar and the surrounding area. Cameron McKenzie, the then Minister of Biggar Kirk, took on the role of masterminding the project. Sufficient money was secured from the community by grants, donations and fundraising activities and the Gillespie Centre opened in 1982 as “The Church Serving the Community.” The cornerstone of the Centre is the Coffee Shop, where 40 plus volunteers are involved. The building has recently been refurbished with the help of grants and further plans are being made to install a lift. The café is known for home baking and a very warm welcome with a play corner for the younger folks.
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2024 Theme

Dumfries and Galloway

Grierson House and Crichton Church

new

7 September 2024

Grierson House is on Bankend Road, just inside the Grierson Gate entrance to the Crichton. It was one of the last wards to be built in the Crichton Royal Institution (CRI), from 1932 to 1934. The architect was James Flett, the CRI’s Clerk of Works, to the design of The Crichton Royal Institution’s Medical Superintendent Dr C.C. Easterbrook. The building and offices were refurbished in 2022, and the offices of the Crichton Trust are in this building. Crichton Memorial Church was designed by Edinburgh architect Sydney Mitchell, and built of Locharbriggs red sandstone. The roof is oak, the floors are marble. Features include carving by William Vickers and stained glass by Oscar Paterson, both of Glasgow. A dedication service was held in 1897, and the rare organ was installed in 1902. The Church is non denominational and still in use.
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Renfrewshire

Houston - St Fillan's Catholic Church

7 September 2024

St Fillan’s Catholic Church serves the rural community of Houston & Bridge of Weir in Renfrewshire. Our church is small but has important historical significance for Scotland, being one of the oldest Catholic Church buildings constructed post-Reformation (and the oldest in continual use in Renfrewshire) The church falls within the Houston Village Conservation Area (CA300) and the buildings were assigned a Category B listing in August 1977. Built in 1841, our church has served successive generations well. Our location is prominent at the entrance to the historic village of Houston, and presents an impressive architecture appreciated by the whole community.
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Renfrewshire

Inchinnan - Inchinnan Historical Interest Group (IHIG)

7 September 2024

Inchinnan Historical Interest Group aim to preserve and record the history, culture and heritage of Inchinnan and it's surrounding area. We also help to maintain All Hallow's Graveyard on the site of the Church which was demolished in 1968 to make way for Glasgow Airport. This unusual site has been a Scheduled Monument since 1971. The Graveyard is not usually open for public access but several IHIG members will be on hand to talk about the history of the area including the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde, the Shrine of St Conval and stories of local farmers, doctors, blacksmiths as well as the Campbell’s of Blythswood and the Danish shipbuilder Henry Lobnitz.

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2024 Theme

Edinburgh

Institut Francais D'Ecosse

28 September 2024

In 2017, after having been occupied by the County for almost two centuries, the building also known as the Lothian Chambers became the new seat of the Consulate General of France in Edinburgh and of the Institut Français d’Ecosse. Whilst the Consulate General provides support to French citizens living in Scotland, the French Institute, as part of a worldwide network, promotes French Culture and encourages cultural exchanges with Scotland. It offers a wide range of activities and shows throughout the year, in French and in English: French courses, talks and conferences, activities for kids, live music events, theatre performances, wine tastings, cinema screenings, exhibitions. It has a library with an important book and media collection in French and it is even an official venue at the Fringe! The move also enabled the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Edinburgh Art Festival to set up offices in one of the city's most prestigious locations.
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Edinburgh

Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) - University of Edinburgh

new

28 September 2024

The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) at the University of Edinburgh is one of the world's premier Institutes for Advanced Study. We support innovative research across the arts, humanities and social sciences through a range of interdisciplinary and international projects and programmes. The Institute, an iconic Victorian tenement building, adjoins 6 Hope Park Square - originally Hope House, an 18th century villa built by Sir Thomas Hope of Rankeillor who gifted the Meadows in front of his house to the city. It was once home to author and critic Dame Rebecca West, and appears in her 1922 novel The Judge as the home of her teenage heroine Ellen Melville. In the mid-20th century, the building was the University’s Department of Artificial Intelligence, developing the world’s first thinking robot to combine a seeing eye and feeling hand, “Freddy I”, whose brother (“Freddy II”) can be seen in the National Museum of Scotland. After IASH took over in 1985, the Institute has featured in three novels by Sir Alexander McCall Smith, connecting the Institute’s homely atmosphere to ground-breaking research in the humanities.
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Stirling

Kippen Parish Church

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Situated in the picturesque village of Kippen is the Category B Listed Kippen Parish Church. A church in Kippen was first mentioned in public records in the 1300s, the existing church dates from 1825 and was enlarged in 1928. These works resulted in a beautiful sanctuary which reflected some of the ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement and it is thought that much is owed to the input of knowledge, taste and contacts of the prominent Scottish artist, Sir David Young Cameron, who lived in the parish for 46 years. This is a well-loved church building which contains a stunning wealth of arts and craftsmanship within it and it is definitely well worth the trip to Kippen to see.
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Aberdeenshire

Macduff Parish Church

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

The parish church occupies a prominent position in the community of Macduff. On a hill overlooking the harbour, the building was opened in 1805. With its Italianate square tower, domed roof and cupola added in 1865, it is a landmark for boats approaching the town.  Points of architectural interest include the stained-glass windows installed in 1922 to the memory of local people who died in the World War 1. These were created by the City Glass Company of Glasgow and displayed at the Royal Academy in London. More recently stained-glass windows by the artist Jennifer-Jane Bayliss, were added to the vestibule to commemorate the links with Malawi. The organ was built in 1903.
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Aberdeenshire

Maryculter Trinity Church

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Taking part for the first time in Doors Open Days, Maryculter Trinity Church, formerly Maryculter Parish Church, was renamed following the coming together of Banchory-Devenick, Cookney and Maryculter parishes. The history is extensive in relation to this fine category B listed church with the earliest parish being created in 1163 and Maryculter parish having reported links to the Knights Templar. The current church building was built in 1786-87, the dates cast on the old bell. Throughout its life the church has been much altered by several extensions in 1882, 1959/60 and 2006 with work carried out through 2016/17 to modernise the existing building yet still respecting the history, character and integrity of the original place of worship.
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Clackmannanshire

Menstrie Parish Church

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

Menstrie Parish Church opened in 1880, its foundation stone having been laid by Alexander McNab of Glenochil Distillery and Middleton Kerse on 10th June 1879. It was designed by the architect James Collie in a plain, neo-Gothic style. A church hall of similar style was built in 1898. There is a fine four-light stained glass window at the south end of the church. The memorial inscription at the foot of the window records that it was erected in memory of James Johnston and his wife Margaret McNab Johnston of Broom Hall by their family and unveiled and consecrated in August 1925. The father of actor Gregor Fisher was organist here many years ago; Gregor also played the organ during a visit to the church a few years ago, in the course of researching his family background.

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Clackmannanshire

Morag Knight at Barn Studio

new

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

Barn Studio is the private art and photography studio of artist Morag Knight. Morag works in oil pastels and mixed media and was commissioned to record aspects of several local industries in Clackmannanshire; some have now gone, so her paintings form a lasting and important visual record of them.  Morag was able to visit the original Japanese Garden at Cowden, first created by Ella Christie in 1908,  on a number of occasions before its restoration. Her sketches and paintings show it as it was then,  abandoned and tangled after vandalism destroyed the tea houses and other features  in 1963, the shrines and lanterns tumbled or lost in the undergrowth. She has also visited the newly restored garden, which opened in 2017;  her finished work shows the striking contrast between the order of the new and the wildness of the old, while her drawings also reveal her first impressions. A range of Morag's other work will also be on display and she will be there to talk about what inspires her.
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Highland – Inverness, Black Isle, Easter Ross, Ross & Cromarty

Northern Meeting Park Story-gathering Project

new

7 September 2024

The Northern Meeting Park Story-gathering Project is a community heritage project, run by High Life Highland and the Highland Council with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It aims to work with the local community to research the history of the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, to collect people’s stories about it, and to produce new interpretation using the material we gather which will be completed in time for the official re-opening of the Park in spring 2025. The Northern Meeting Park, built in 1864, is the world’s oldest purpose-built Highland Games venue and since it opened it has been a popular venue for Highland games and other sports, concerts, festivals and special events, as well as being the sports ground for three local primary schools (Central, Bishop Eden’s and St Joseph’s).
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Highland – Caithness & Sutherland

Old Clyne School

new

22 September 2024

Brora Heritage Centre has an eclectic mix of artefacts, images and stories of Brora’s unique Highland industrial history. There’s even a reconstruction of the old coal mine for you to explore. Having Britain’s most northerly coal mine, this rich resource fuelled a range of spin-off industries, including the making of bricks, whisky, tweed and salt. Nowhere in the Highlands is there a place like Brora and the centre tells the story of this remarkable hidden gem in Scotland’s north. BHC is run by Clyne Heritage Society, a very active heritage group, based in the village of Brora (in the parish of Clyne) on the east coast of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. The fully constituted Society was formed in 1998 by a group of people living in the parish who were interested in preserving Clyne’s fascinating and quickly disappearing heritage, e.g. demolition of coal mine in 1981 and Hunter’s Woollen Mill in 2004. The Society has acquired registered charitable status; it is made up of a committee of 8 and currently has a membership of over 200 people, spread far and wide. We are actively involved in supporting all heritage matters within our own parish, and we are also concerned in the wider heritage affairs of the whole of the County of Sutherland.
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Renfrewshire

Paisley - Memorial Paisley Woodside Crematorium and Cemetery

8 September 2024

Woodside Cemetery was laid out in 1845 to a design drawn up by Stewart Murray, curator of Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Situated on a low hill-top position between Woodside House and Ferguslie House, and offering stunning vistas of the surrounding area, the “garden cemetery” extends to just over 20 acres and now incorporates the recently built Martyr’s Church and the adjacent Covenanter Martyrs Memorial. In 1938 a new, purpose-built crematorium, designed by the well-known local architect James Steel Maitland was completed. At that time, it was regarded as one of the finest buildings of its kind anywhere in the country; it was opened on 28th October 1938 by the Rt, Hon. Lord Salveson, due to its heritage it has now been given listed status.
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Renfrewshire

Paisley - Paisley Town Hall

8 September 2024

The curtain has come up on Paisley’s big stage which sees an iconic, architectural gem, transformed into a world-class venue and one of Scotland’s best performance spaces. A building rich with character and colourful history, uniquely transformed as the home of the very best in shows and performances., But of course, you can make Paisley Town Hall your big stage too, by hiring our spaces for weddings, business gatherings and events. The venue has a premier location right in the heart of Paisley town, with various local amenities on our doorstep. It is served by the M8 motorway, just a 20 minute drive from Glasgow City Centre and 8 minutes from Glasgow Airport. Train and bus links are excellent, with Paisley Gilmour Street station just a 5 minute walk away.
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Renfrewshire

Paisley - West End Community Centre

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

The West End Community Centre (WECC) in Paisley is a vibrant hub located in the heart of the West End neighbourhood. It serves as a focal point for community activities and events, offering a welcoming and inclusive space for residents of all ages. However, its current main user groups are ROAR (Reaching Older Adults in Renfrewshire) during the week, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) on Saturdays. WECC features a variety of facilities, including the following: 1. reception area 2. main hall, which can host bigger events, shows, exhibitions, and indoor sporting activities 3. community storeroom 4. large meeting room 5. office 6. self-contained kitchenette 7. 2 store-rooms SDA programs at WECC cater to a diverse range of interests and needs, including spiritual support, health expos, open door days, educational workshops, book fairs, fitness classes, and social clubs. These activities are aimed at fostering a stronger sense of community spirit and building relationships. The West End Community Center also offers a range of support services, such as youth programs, counselling, and health and wellbeing-promoting activities. Its dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that the centre is a safe and supportive environment where people can connect, learn, and grow together as a community. In general, the West End Community Centre is a vital component of the Paisley community, offering a vast range of services and programs that improve the standard of living for its citizens.
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Renfrewshire

Paisley- The Art Department / Outspoken Arts Scotland Ltd

7 September 2024

The Art Department site is the former Paisley headquarters of the UK’s Co-operative Wholesale Society and in most recent times the property was known as Allders. The property is situated over four buildings which were unified in major rebuilding works when the Paisley Centre shopping complex was created in the mid-1990s. The façades of the four buildings are all that remains of what was once a huge property empire created by the Paisley Co-operative & Manufacturing Society Ltd, originally established by hand-loom weavers in 1862. PCMS was later absorbed into the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society and later the UK’s CWS Ltd known as the Co-op. The original warehouses at Causeyside Street, were built over four decades. The 1890’s building was the first larger scale property to be bought by the growing society. It was a former residential property and was redeveloped by Bruce & Hay architectural practice and completed in 1892 for PCMS. Bruce & Hay are particularly known for the very grand Scottish Wholesale Co-operative buildings in Morrison Street, Glasgow. The 1892 PCMS store housed millinery, shawls, haberdashery and the finest linens. The façade of this building still stands and is the first set of windows from what is now No2. Causeyside Street. The warehouse that was sandwiched between the 1890’s building and the 1913 building came down in the early 1930s and was replaced by a grand beaux arts style building, designed by architect Bailie Hamilton Neil, dated 1932. Neil was a graduate of the Paisley School of Design and Paisley Technical College, the Glasgow & West of Scotland Technical College, and Glasgow School of Art. He was well known for being a councillor, magistrate, and a mason. He also had business interests in several cinema chains and designed a few huge art deco cinemas. His buildings had always been very showy, and the 1932 Co-op building combined their imagery, two hands clasping, linen flax bundles and floral garlands with some generalised art deco motifs, greco-egyptian lotus leaves, and a touch of the war memorials in the Masonic style of the heads/garlands. Notably one face is smiling and one face frowning, reminiscent perhaps of the Greek muses of comedy and tragedy, sometimes known as Sock and Buskin or Thalia and Melpomene. The entire site of the Paisley Shopping Centre will be re-developed over the next few years by Beyond Retail Property, offering a combination of health, well-being, retail, leisure and residential accommodation.
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Midlothian

Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project

14 September 2024

The PHRP is a partnership set up to regenerate the historic core of Penicuik Town centre conservation area and is based in Penicuik Town Hall, a category C listed historic building. Funded by Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, the 5 year scheme focuses on the historic core of Penicuik town centre and aims to tackle the effects of poor building maintenance, loss of architectural features, inconsistent shop-front design and unsympathetic public realm works. It has also offered training in traditional construction skills and the opportunity to develop community engagement projects relating to the history and heritage of Penicuik.

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Aberdeenshire

Portsoy Salmon Bothy

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

The Salmon Bothy was a working Salmon Bothy until the 1990s. It was renovated and opened in 2009 as a small museum and a community space called ‘Upstairs at the Bothy’. Each of the three ice chambers of the Bothy contain new exhibitions. Chamber 1 is devoted to the salmon fishing industry telling its story and exhibiting the artefacts. It also houses a children’s area and an area for viewing pictures of a bygone era. Chamber 2 tells the story of Portsoy with its famous 17th century harbour and the associated industries which developed because of the trading nature of the town including manufacturing of buoys, engineering works and some lively smuggling activity!  Chamber 3 houses the most recent exhibits displaying the flora and fauna of the area and the unique geology found in Portsoy including the famous Portsoy marble. Come see for yourself on Doors Open Days.
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Dumfries and Galloway

Rosefield Mills - Dumfries Historic Buildings Group

new

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

The Rosefield Mills buildings are the last surviving large-scale Victorian industrial buildings in Dumfries. They are of key cultural and historic importance to the town. The former mill buildings are listed Category B and are located in the Dumfries Conservation Area. The buildings are mostly derelict and included in the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) acquired the most prominent and significant buildings on the site, including the spectacular riverfront building on the Nith, designed to look like a grand Venetian palace. This iconic building was designed by Dumfries architect Alan Burgess Crombie, and completed in 1886. DHBT is gradually repairing the main building, and is developing plans to find sustainable new uses for it.

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Edinburgh

Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

new

28 September 2024

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh sits at the heart of the city in our 140-year-old building welcoming over 100,000 people each year. At the Lyceum, we believe that theatre is good for the soul. Led by our Artistic Director David Greig, we bring the best theatre from around the world to Edinburgh and share the best of Scottish theatre with the world. We rehearse in our studio space across the road from the auditorium, and our costumes and sets are designed and built in house at our workshop in Roseburn, Edinburgh. Community is at the heart of what we do. In 2024, our Creative Learning department celebrates 25 years of developing and nurturing talent. Our Youth Theatre programmes have been the starting point for many Scottish actors, fostering newfound confidence and lifelong friendships. We also host 60+ writing groups, technical courses and training.
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Edinburgh

Royal Observatory Edinburgh

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (ROE) is an astronomical institution located on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. The site is owned by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The ROE comprises the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) of STFC, the Institute for Astronomy of the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, and the ROE Visitor Centre. The observatory carries out astronomical research and university teaching; design, project management, and construction of instruments and telescopes for astronomical observatories; and teacher training in astronomy and outreach to the public. The ROE Library includes the Crawford Collection of books and manuscripts gifted in 1888 by James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford.
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Clackmannanshire

Sauchie Tower

29 September 2024

Sir James Schaw of Greenock acquired the estate of Sauchie by marriage and probably built Sauchie Tower c.1415. The Schaws were an influential family in medieval Scotland. The tower complex included an outer wall, cobbled courtyard and large hall with kitchen and bread oven.  The west courtyard wall was partly remodelled c.1490, to include gunholes and corner tower.  In 1631 this was incorporated into Sauchie House, built by Alexander Schaw, who was knighted in 1633 by Charles I. In c1710 the family moved to their new mansion of Schawpark.  The tower roof fell in c1858 and the bartizans (corner turrets) and gables collapsed c1890. Sauchie House was demolished in 1930.
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Moray

Scalan Seminary & Mill Buildings

7 September 2024

Scalan was the site of a hidden seminary training young men to be priests during the 1700s when Catholicism was prohibited. When secrecy was no longer required, the college moved to Aquhorties, Aberdeenshire in 1799. Scalan then returned to a working farm during the 19th and 20th Centuries. Two steading buildings were built housing threshing mills and waterwheels which are still in place along with a wealth of historical graffiti bringing the lives of those who lived and worked here alive. The site is now a haven for wildlife who have made this special site their home. During 2019 a major project was undertaken to conserve the two mill buildings, restore one of the waterwheels and lade, provide further visitor interpretation and improve visitor access to the site.

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Renfrewshire

Shopmobility Renfrewshire

new

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

Shopmobility Renfrewshire is a UK award-winning charity, holding the prestigious "Tom Hillier Award" for Shopmobility Centre of the Year 2024. Shopmobility Renfrewshire provides four services to people with mobility disabilities in Renfrewshire to help them to move around and participate fully in social, economic and cultural activities.  1. Free daily hire of traditional wheelchairs, powerchairs (electric wheelchairs) and electric mobility scooters. We offer longer term hires at a low cost.  2. Repairs/maintenance service.  3. Arrange opportunities for clients/public to attend events and enjoy the culture and social opportunities available in Renfrewshire.  4. Advocate for anyone with a mobility disability. This includes comprehensive accessibility surveys. For the Doors Open Days weekend 2024, come visit us! We will be offering a demonstration of our operation and safety considerations when using your own mobility equipment or hiring ours.
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North Lanarkshire

Spotlight Shotts - Shotts Community Centre

new

28 September 2024

Shotts Community Centre has a long history as the former Calderhead Junior Secondary School from 1870 to 1965. It is one of Shotts few remaining Victorian public buildings with fine architectural features and is integral to Shotts history and culture. After closing as a school it became a Community Centre. In 1982 part of the main building was converted to a professional black box theatre and named the Henderson Theatre after Archie Henderson, a local actor, drama teacher prominent member of community. Spotlight Shotts, is a recently formed voluntary group of local residents with a mission to reinstate the facilities of the theatre and along with it, opportunities for education, celebration, and appreciation of performing arts.

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Dundee

St Salvador's Church

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

One of his few works in Scotland, St Salvador’s was designed by one of Britain’s foremost Gothic Revival architects, G. F. Bodley in 1868. Glorious painted interior, one of the most significant of the 19th century Gothic Revival in Scotland. Stencilled decoration to the walls and ceiling, the splendour and richness increasing in the chancel and apse. The nave is predominantly green with cream above; the chancel a warm red and the reredos is rich with gold. The eye is drawn to the brightly coloured and gilded screen and beyond to the high altar and reredos. The magnificent panelled and painted reredos fills whole of the east wall and has a central figure of Christ crucified and 18 painted copper panels of the Apostles, Angels, the Virgin and St John with a painting of the Annunciation above. Organ by Wadsworth & Maskell, 1882, with an elaborate and richly carved and highly coloured case.
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Aberdeenshire

St Ternan's Scottish Episcopal Church

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

St Ternan’s is the oldest church in the Diocese of Brechin. The centre section was built in 1829/31 replacing older buildings that were located in the grounds of Muchalls Castle. Later additions were made, including a gallery (since removed) and the lengthening of the nave to accommodate larger congregations. The last major change in 1865 came with the building of the chancel. At this time “The Episcopal Chapel at Muchalls” (note Muchalls Castle/estate not Muchalls village) as it had always been known adopted a new constitution and became St Ternan’s Scottish Episcopal Church. St Ternan’s is a lovely church, most of the original pews are still in place from the days it could seat 250 of a congregation. A delicate stained-glass window can be appreciated in the East wall above the altar depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The font has a unique history; found by Bishop Alexander Penrose Forbes (Diocese of Brechin 1847-1875) surviving as a trough on a farm adjacent to Inverbervie, it has skilful stone carvings around its circumference.
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Aberdeen City

Station House Media Unit (shmu)

new

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

Established as a charity in 2003, Station House Media Unit (shmu), is one of the core cultural organisations in North East Scotland and is at the forefront of community media development in the UK. A community anchor organisation, supporting residents in the seven regeneration areas of Aberdeen in radio and video production, traditional and on-line publications, music production and digital inclusion. As well as tours of the building in both the old part (originally the station master’s house) and the newly developed space including state of the art community media facilities, they will also be running creative, music, radio/podcast and tv/film taster sessions throughout the afternoon.

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Aberdeenshire

Stonehaven Clock Tower

new

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

The Stonehaven Clock Tower stands tall and proud at the Cross and can been seen from around the town. The costs of the original 1790 build were met from the Common Good Fund and the sole purpose of the building was to contain the Town Clock for the local community. In 1894 the tower was heightened, and the clock was raised to its present position at the top of the square sandstone tower. Above the doorway is a large barometer, dated 1852, which was of immense benefit and used regularly by the local fishermen. In addition, the Clock Tower was also the site of one of the many public water supplies in the 19th century. Sadly, the Tower fell into disrepair but a major refurbishment in 2015, which gained the annual Conservation Award from the Aberdeen Society of Architects, has led its re-opening as a tourist attraction.
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Outer Hebrides / Na h-Eileanan Siar

Stornoway Historical Society

new

21 September 2024

Stornoway Historical Society was founded in 1992, with the key aims of recording and preserving the history, culture and heritage of our town and island, and of informing and educating the public about this history and the importance of preserving evidence of the past and the present.The wider membership stands at over 200 and a busy committee organises exhibitions, bi-ennial magazines, annual winter lectures and talks to community groups. The society has many publications to its name. There is further engagement with the public via the SHS website, Facebook, YouTube, email and letter; many inquiries can involve research. Cataloguing and archival work is on-going, supervised by our volunteer archivist.

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Renfrewshire

STROKE by Anya Gallaccio

new

7 September 2024

JUPITER+ presets Internationally renowned and Paisley-born artist Anya Gallaccio’s extraordinary artwork and Jupiter Artland’s creative learning programmes to young people in Paisley! Anya Gallaccio brings her edible installation, STROKE to Paisley’s high street this autumn. Occupying a formerly vacant retail unit, this immersive and interactive installation features an entire room covered in thick dark chocolate. JUPITER+ aims to tackle the diminishing uptake in creative subjects at school-leaver and higher education levels, with our most ambitious Free Learning Programme to date. The JUPITER+ Paisley programme is powered in partnership with Future Paisley, a cultural regeneration partnership programme, led by Renfrewshire Council, which uses the power of arts, heritage and culture to impact social and economic change. JUPITER+ supports access to the well-being benefits of Arts & Culture. Alongside the artwork, JUPITER+ Creative Learning Programmes for school pupils will take place from September to December, offering young people new opportunities to access pathways into creative industries. JUPITER+ PAISLEY’S Public Programme will launch on the 7th of September.
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Aberdeenshire

The Bus Collection at Alford

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21 September 2024

22 September 2024

The Bus Collection at Alford is the home to a fascinating fleet of vehicles that have spent their lives being used as public transport across the vast road networks of Aberdeen City and Shire. The collection is maintained by The Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust, which was created in 2006 and as much as possible, vehicles in the Trust’s care are returned to running condition and during events are presented to the public. The collection aims to promote the education of the public by bringing together, holding, adequately housing, maintaining, preserving, and conserving a fleet of buses, coaches, trams and many other vehicles, along with any related equipment.
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Renfrewshire

The Hurlet Crematorium

8 September 2024

We offer all the love, compassion and respect due to you when you lose someone special, in a stylish setting designed for comfort, space and light. The Hurlet Crematorium is set within 15-acres of open countryside, offering panoramic views out and across the serene Hurlet Hills from our large Ceremony Hall window. We truly think that it is the most perfect location in which to hold a befitting funeral service. Our building is modern, and purpose built. It is light, bright and comfortable, in stark contrast to the existing, heavy and dated facilities that local families have had no other choice but to use for many generations. We use the latest and most environmentally advanced cremation technology and we offset our fuel carbon, and we only use renewably sourced electricity. We also Plant a Tree for Every Family and Every Service that we hold within our extensive grounds. Our staff are professional, kind and approachable. We want to make every service perfect for you at a difficult time. We are non-denominational, and open to all religions, and can provide any form of bespoke service to your choice.
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Aberdeenshire

The National Decommissioning Centre

21 September 2024

The National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) is a multimillion-pound research and development complex located in Newburgh Aberdeenshire. The centre works in partnership with industry, regulators, and other key stakeholders to transform the decommissioning of energy assets and support the sector’s transition to net zero emissions. The NDC’s project portfolio is multi-disciplinary and covers engineering, environmental, economic, and regulatory aspects. The NDC is home to a unique state-of-the-art simulator – a walk-in 9m diameter, 300-degree visual immersive environment with 4 control stations providing real-time and real-physics simulations. Other advanced facilities at the centre include a high-power laser, indoor water immersion tank, hydrostatic pressure chamber and several large capacity environmental chambers.
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Aberdeenshire

The Old Manse, Stuartfield

21 September 2024

22 September 2024

Stop off at the Old Manse where a warm welcome awaits visitors who are interested to find out more about the history of the 217-year-old Manse. Visitors will be greeted within the Manse, which is now a private residence, by the owner and will be enthralled by his traditional storytelling. The tales will include images, illustrations and video covering the origin of the church and manse and the lives of some of the ministers, concentrating particularly on the first minister, James Robertson and his children, who later in life achieved tremendous success! You will also delve into the lives of the many occupants of The Old Manse, where odd coincidences exist between the first inhabitant and the existing one! The storytelling will take place in one of the rooms of the house, which can cater for a maximum of 6 people at a time. 
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Clackmannanshire

Tullibody Community Garden

28 September 2024

Tullibody Community Garden is a small, friendly organisation run entirely by enthusiastic  volunteers, whose aim is to work for the health of people and the planet.  They grow  affordable fruit and vegetables and help people and schools to start growing and cooking fresh, healthy meals for themselves.  The volunteers have brought a wide range of skills to the garden; some had no vegetable gardening experience, while others have lots of experience as amateurs or professional gardeners. Tullibody Community Garden also  provides a wildlife friendly and relaxing space to visit. There will be a number of activities happening, including vegetable sales; tours of the garden; gardening advice and a chance to hear about the results of the 2024 research, which has made close connections with the local community.
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Clackmannanshire

Tullibody Heritage Centre

28 September 2024

29 September 2024

Tullibody Heritage Centre is part of Tullibody Community Centre and is run by the small committee of Tullibody History Group. It was established in 2001 and tells the fascinating story of the village and neighbouring Cambus. The displays, house in one large and two smaller rooms, include a model of Tullibody; a fully furnished doll's house modelled on Tullibody House, owned by the Abercromby family (an illustrated genealogy gives details of this remarkable family); a replica Victorian schoolroom and a 1940s-style kitchen; as well as details about significant people, such as William Burns Paterson, who founded what is now Alabama State University, and the baker, botanist and geologist Robert Dick (1811-1866), to whom a fine memorial has been erected in Tullibody.
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Dumfries and Galloway

Ukrainian POW Chapel, Hallmuir

7 September 2024

8 September 2024

Built in 1942, it is a single storey, pitched roof, prefabricated hut forming Ukrainian Prisoner of War chapel. Painted corrugated roof and walls of cement/asbestos mix on timber frame and concrete base. Timber door with former electricity post above with flanking windows; Main building has 2 windows on each side with 4 and 6-pane timber windows. The interior is adapted from barracks to a place of Eastern rite worship with a simple screen (Iconostas) enclosing the altar and tabernacle of a Ukrainian type cathedral. The screen has a round-arched opening at centre with doors through to High Altar; square-headed openings to sides and timber pews, altars, lectern and other furnishings. Ceiling painted blue with gold stars. It is located off a minor road 1& a half miles south of Lockerbie with most of the original camp reclaimed by forests with several remaining buildings rented to other users. There is designated ample parking and a second barrack being upgraded to provide facilities to visitors (toilet, displays, shelter and refreshments)
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Aberdeenshire

Walled Garden, Ballogie

new

22 September 2024

The Walled Garden at Ballogie is looked after by The Seed Box, a social enterprise charity, which provides horticultural training and outdoor therapy to adults with additional support needs. Gardening activities are carried out within the walled garden, supporting workers to develop employability skills, confidence, and independence. The Walled Garden is located within the policies of Ballogie and is listed category B. The garden is double terraced with coursed granite rubble walls and a sundial located to the northern end which is listed category C. The garden is laid out with a 50m long herbaceous border, fruit trees and bushes, vegetable and cut flower beds.
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Perth & Kinross

Well and Washhouse Scotlandwell - Scotlandwell in Bloom

new

15 September 2024

The village of Scotlandwell lies to the east of Loch Leven, approximately 4 miles east of Kinross. It is one of the great historic sites of Kinross-shire. Named Fons Scotiae by the Romans who passed this way nearly 2,000 years ago, the curative waters that bubble up through the sandy ground were used by Red Friars who maintained a hospital in the village between 1250 and 1587. Thousands of pilgrims came to Scotlandwell to take the water, the most famous perhaps being King Robert the Bruce who is alleged to have found a cure for leprosy here. Scotlandwell in Bloom was originally formed in 1990 and aims to achieve continuous sustainable environmental improvement of our village for locals and visitors alike. The walled garden adjacent to the historic Well and Wash House changed ownership in late 2004 and the new owners offered Scotlandwell in Bloom the opportunity to get involved in improving the area. Volunteers helped to prepare the area for planting shrubs, using weed suppressing fabrics and bark, both donated by local residents. In 2009, a submission was made to the Take A Pride in Perth & Kinross Association for the conservation & re-use of the Wash House. This was successful and the project has restored the building, securing it for the future by the community.

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