Doors Open Day

Have you ever walked past a building and been curious as to what was inside? In the year of Homecoming, what better way to explore your 'hidden heritage' than to be given free roam of some of Scotland's most important and beautiful buildings?

Every Weekend in September 2009.

Taking place right across the country, Doors Open Day is your opportunity to have free access to literally hundreds of fascinating properties usually closed to the public. Each weekend in September sees different areas of Scotland opening up their doors. To see which areas are participating on which weekends, take a look at their website.

Taking place right across Scotland, from Orkney to Dumfries & Galloway, the full programme of buildings has still to be announced. Previous years have seen police stations, government chambers, haunted cellars, mosques and marketing suites all open their doors for visitors to become acquainted with what's inside.

Released highlights include Selkirk Courthouse in the Scottish Borders, where Sir Walter Scott was Sheriff-Deputy from 1799 - 1832. This striking Scottish building with a prominent steeple is of classical Georgian architectural design and it sits imposingly on Selkirk's town square. Another highlight includes the Glasgow Vennel in Irvine, Ayrshire, where you will get a chance to see where a 23 year old Robert Burns, Scotland's National poet, learned the heckling trade. Burns spent nine months lodging at No 4 while working in the thatched Heckling Shed behind No 10. The Vennel is now a local family history centre and promises Doors Open Day visitors an insight into Burns' day to day life and an opportunity to uncover their links with the Irvine area. Claypotts Castle, close to Dundee, with the rather unusual square rooms on top of its towers, is certainly worth a visit also.

These special weekends in September allow you to get behind the scenes of important national landmarks, or just catch a glimpse into everyday life of public figures, quirky offices and wealthy landowners.

Find out what buildings near you are taking part in this unique celebration of Scotland's built environment by visiting the Doors Open Day website.