One of Britain's largest indoor gardens, the David Welch Winter Gardens boasts the most extensive collection of succulents and cacti in Europe. It includes a Temperate House, a Corridor of Perfumes, a Fern Houses, a Victorian Corridor, a Japanese Garden, A Tropical House, and an Arid House. Originally opened in 1899, the greenhouses were rebuilt after suffering storm damage in 1969. Located next to Duthie Park, the tour starts in the park and moves through the indoor gardens with a set of interactive 360º photos that allow easy travel through the spaces. Accessibility note: The ground in the gardens varies but the majority is level paving with wide doorways.
Listed Category A. Delightful, L-plan vernacular laird's house complete with angle bartizan turrets at opposing angles to keep a defensive eye open for possible unfriendly visitors: architecturally slightly old fashioned by 1678. Masked date stone at SW angle of 1678, initialled IG and IA for Gordon and Abercrombie: I used for J in 17C, so perhaps John and Janet.
The Church is a well known landmark for travellers on the way to Inverness. The Church was built in 1826 although there has been a church here, and worship here for many centuries previously. It is recorded as having been granted its charter as a mensal (common) kirk of Elgin Cathedral and Pluscarden Abbey in the 13th Century though it is believed that there was worship here long before that. The present building was renovated and the gallery restored in 1990/1.
The most fashionable of Edinburgh�s mid-19th century garden cemeteries, chosen by many of Edinburgh�s historical figures � including Lord Cockburn � for their final resting-place.
The Dean Gardens is the largest of the four 'pleasure grounds' to border the Water of Leith. They are the second-biggest private amenity gardens in Edinburgh encompassing over seven acres, featuring a series of planted slopes and level lawn areas with many delightful viewpoints over the Dean Valley. The lay-out of pathways, lawns and the wooden pavilion are virtually unchanged from the original Victorian era plans but the tennis court has been replaced with a well-equipped children's play-area.
Dear Green Coffee Roasters are based in Glasgow's East End. In this two-hour tour learn about the origins of coffee and hear Norry from Lost Glasgow spill the beans about the history of Glasgow's coffee houses. Established in 2011, Dear Green Coffee Roasters are a coffee roaster and supplier of exclusively 'speciality' grade coffee beans. Taking its name from its home city of Glasgow, the "Dear Green Place," the roastery is just around the corner from the Barrowlands in the Glasgow Collective. The tour will give you an insight into the sourcing, roasting and ethics of coffee - as well as the chance to taste different origins. Norry Wilson from Lost Glasgow will be speaking about the history of Glasgow coffee houses and the role the exotic beverage went on to play a role in the city's mercantile, commercial and social life.- Norry will also be talking about the history of the nearby buildings in the East End. This tour is essential for any coffee lover.
Spontaneous, self-sufficient, and with a little spirit thrown in for good measure, that’s Stuart and Adelle Brown, founders of Deerness Distillery – Orkney’s first distillery for over 130 years. It is here that they produce the multi-award winning Sea Glass Gin, new Scuttled Gin and the Islands only distilled vodka. From their purpose-built distillery at the side of their home in Deerness, Orkney they launched their products Sea Glass Gin and Into the Wild Vodka – back in May 2017, after a year of construction and product development. The distillery boasts a beautiful shop as well as tours and tastings of their spirits. Plans are afoot for a café and extending their spirits with a small batch rum and small batch whisky. Deerness Distillery spirits are a must try if you’re looking for an exclusive premium gin or vodka, visit https://www.deernessdistillery.com/shop/ Onsite parking is available, or you can use the Kirkwall to Deerness bus route (no 8) (get off at Lighthouse corner stop) check the stagecoach website for timetables. The distillery is fully setup for disabled access, with access ramps, car park and toilet facilities.
Delgatie Castle is a picturesque tower house situated in establish grounds dating from the 1500s with various later additions. Visitors will be able to climb one of the widest turnpike stairs in Scotland and view almost all rooms in the castle, which still gives the feel of a lived-in home. Delgatie will also be hosting NEOS on Doors Open Days, giving visitors the chance to view the work of a selection of local artists. Famously, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie. Disabled access on ground floor only.
Dementia Services Development Centre Talk & Tour
The Dementia Services Development Centre is housed in the purpose built Iris Murdoch Building and is an innovative example of dementia friendly design in practice. The Design & Technology Suite showcases practical design solutions for people with dementia and their carer's. Browse the Library, which houses one of the UK's largest collections of publications on dementia, and purchase books from our bookshop.
Denfind Farm formed part of the ancient Panmure Estate, as did the Pitairlie Quarry, which had been part of the thriving Angus sandstone business in the 19th century. Denfind Stone started in 2004 after the quarry had lain dormant for over 100 years, and is now one of Scotland’s leading stone companies. Enjoy a tour of the state-of-the-art production facility and the quarry and a demonstration of dry stone dyking with a skilled stonemason.
� Alexander Dennistoun commissioned a grand design from James Salmon for a new middle class suburb. However, as the 19th century ended, pressure to house Glasgow's influx�of workers forced higher population density, creating the community's extraordinary variety. Led by Roger Guthrie of the Alexander Thomson Society. �
Dumbarton. How to get there : Go to the end of Castle Street, (extends from the High Street). See the world's first commercial ship model experiment tank in action and discover how William Denny & Brothers' innovative, experimental approach to shipbuilding made waves in the shipbuilding industry from the 1800s to 1963. This is part of the Scottish Maritime Museum. The Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank was built in 1882. It is one of the last reminders of the shipyard of the innovative and famous Company William Denny and Brothers. The tank was built to test ship hull designs and retains many original features including a water tank as long as a football pitch. Experience the working environment of the model makers, clay moulders and carpenters in 1882. Try your hand at smoothing and carving a real wax hull model. Test different hull designs in our own mini experiment tank. Enter the world of the Victorian ship designer, in William Denny's drawing office, and find out how to design your own ship. Join us on a guided tour of the building and learn about Denny Brothers, builders of the famous Cutty Sark and inventors of the Denny helicopter, Denny hovercraft and Denny-Brown stabilisers. See more at: http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/member/denny-ship-model-experiment-tank FREE entrance on Doors Open Day. Cafe. Museum shop. The premises have several steps.
Our new state-of-the-art museum has something for everyone. Experience life in a World War One Trench and explore the Factory to discover what life was like for the thousands of munitions girls who flocked to work here.
Devon Colliery has had a long history. It was leased to the Alloa Coal Company in 1843, but flooding, which had always been a huge problem, forced it to close in 1854. The company managed to reopen it in 1879, achieving this with new pit-head plant, including the very impressive Beam Engine House, which housed a Cornish-style beam pumping engine built by Neilson & Co in Glasgow in 1865. It could pump 2,560 gallons of water per minute out of the colliery. It took about a year to drain the pit, with several million gallons of water being pumped out every 24 hours. The steam engine was also used to drive machinery of all kinds and was in operation until 1932, when electric pumps were installed. Devon Colliery was the largest and longest lasting colliery in Clackmannanshire. It was served by the wagon way and mineral railway lines connecting it with the neighbouring Crophill pit and with the main line to Alloa and Tillicoultry. It closed in 1960, ending at least 450 years of coalmining in the area around Sauchie Tower. The beam engine was partly dismantled. The Beam Engine House was restored by Clackmannan District Council in 1993, by which time only the massive cast-iron beam and part of the pump-rod remained. It is one of the few surviving beam engines in Scotland and the only sign that a colliery ever existed on the site. It was converted to office space and, after sporadic use, was later sold to the Scottish SPCA, which is now developing plans to use it as an educational information centre.
Diageo, formerly Guinness UDV, moved to their new office building in 2000. the building was designed by Allan Murray with the internal fit-out by BDG McColl to create a building which combines office space, meeting suite, and a spectacular lounge area. Scotch whisky tasting!
Home of Carnoustie Theatre Club, visit the small working theatre with its intimate 49 seat auditorium. Members will show visitors around and talk about the interesting features and history of the theatre.
Schop Institute is run by architects from Oliver Chapman Architects and offers a programme of events to encourage participation in design, architecture and cities. As part of Doors Open Days, visitors were invited to step into Schop Institute and take part in an experiment to map Edinburgh's �hidden treasures�. Visitors made a mark of a place or building that they considered to be one of Edinburgh�s old town hidden treasures on a large scale map of Edinburgh.�A QR code web link was then printed�on to a label which�was displayed on the map�at the chosen place. An ephemeral overlay of multiple personal stories applied to Edinburgh�s silent buildings emerged.
The castle’s construction began in 1240 but was damaged in the Wars of Scottish Independence. The castle guarded the approach along the coast to Edinburgh from the south. It changed hands multiple times throughout its history, and was damaged again in a siege by Oliver Cromwell, in 1923 the grounds and ruins were given to state care and they are now maintained by Historic Scotland. The current site is made up of 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th century ruins as well as a 20th century garden layout. The tour consists of a number of navigable 360º photographs that take the viewer around the ruins of the castle. Accessibility note: The ground around the castle is uneven and there is stepped access into the ruins themselves.
The Camera New on the market in July 2017, the Garmin Virb360 camera is an extremely capable 360° device. The images in this tour were captured as bracketed exposures, blended together in Adobe Lightroom and processed using the KRPano Virtual Tour software. All images were captured initially in jpg format but recent firmware upgrades to the camera now allow for capture of images in RAW format with a consequential improvement of both dynamic range and tonal quality.
Dirleton Primary School is celebrating its 100th birthday in its present building with a Centenary Open Day from 10am to 4 pm. Education has a long pedigree in the village dating back to the early 1700s and everyone is welcome to join the school staff and pupils in a programme of centenary activities.
Display: Items from the Burns Collection - Mitchell Library
When the library opened in 1877, one of the earliest decisions taken by the library committee was to form a Robert Burns Collection in memorial to the national bard. Over the years it has grown to over 5000 items and is believed to be the largest in the world. The collection includes rare and unique items including 15 original manuscripts of letters and poems, two copies of the Kilmarnock edition, translations, ephemera and artefacts. Don't miss this rare chance to see some items from our world-renowned Robert Burns Collection. Highlights will include our copy of Auld Lang Syne (only one of six extant copies) and the only surviving letter written by Burns in Scots plus a few other surprises.
District 10: Shipping Container Office Building
District 10 is a highly sustainable office building made of shipping containers providing work space for start-up creative industry companies. Commended in the Scottish Design Awards the game Tetris wraps around the outside of the building promoting the creative and unpredictable organisations within. Hosted by ‘Jon Frullani Architect’ in their office. Also includes a Free talk on “Tenement Repair and Maintenance” by Ian Muir of ‘Muir Walker and Pride’ Architects (hosted by RIAS and RICS) on Sunday 15th from 11:00-12:00 (no booking required), with questions and information stands afterwards. Jon and Ian are President and Vice President respectively of the ‘Dundee Institute of Architects’ and look forward to meeting you to answer any questions architectural!
This exuberant building with its 5-bay neo-baroque front elevation was given to the people of Larbert and Stenhousemuir by ironfounder Major Robert Dobbie as a memorial to his son who was killed in the Boer War. It was designed by A and W Black of Falkirk, cost £12,000 to build, and was opened in August 1901 by the Duchess of Montrose. The entrance hall is unusual in retaining its original layout with cloakrooms and toilets to either side. This includes the checking windows and counters. Fine tiled floors are found throughout the main access points. The massive main hall is dominated by a lavish proscenium arch and a broad horseshoe-shaped gallery gives it an operatic feel. The lesser hall on the first floor also has original detailing and plasterwork.
This fine independent, community-run museum occupies part of a former early 19th century woollen mill and has permanent displays about the history of Dollar and its environs, including Granny’s Kitchen, Castle Campbell, Dollar Academy and the Devon Valley Railway. On the first floor is a reading and research room. Dollar Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. It has created and shown over 150 temporary exhibitions since it opened in 1988 and the new exhibition for 2019 is as follows: Developing Dollar - a century of housing in Dollar This exhibition tells the fascinating story of the 33 major housing developments which have taken place in Dollar in the last hundred years, focussing on plans, planning issues and the memories of those who grew up in the new houses. The display 'Moving House' also showcases a range of household items from the 1920s to the present day.
This is one of only two churches known to have been designed by Sir William Tite, whose architectural practice was mainly concerned with railways. It is Gothic in style and originally T-plan, with nave, north transepts, a tall bell-tower and small corbelled and crenelated angle towers. The chancel was added in 1925 to accommodate the Rushworth and Dreaper organ. The interior has only been altered slightly, with 19th century pews and galleries remaining; the pulpit, chancel panelling, communion table and stalls were designed by J Jeffrey Waddell in 1925-6. The stained glass includes windows designed by A Ballantine & Son (1910), St Enoch Glass Studios (1949) and the Union Window which commemorates the union of this church and the West Church in 1979. Designed by Jennifer Campbell and Adam Robson, it illustrates the different aspects of caring by the church. The window was executed by Douglas Hogg. The original cartoon is on display in Dollar Museum.
Dolphin House is a listed building in Hunter Square, Edinburgh. It was designed and built in 1788-1790 by John Baxter Junior as the Merchant Company Hall. It has previously been used, among other things, as a bank and a bed shop and had fallen into serious disrepair until it was redeveloped in 1994 by the EDI Group. The Architects for the refurbishment were Gray Marshall and the building now houses EDI's head office. The first floor is double height with a beautiful carved wooden fireplace. In addition to the building itself a number of models of other EDI schemes will be on display on the second floor which was recently remodelled by Lee Boyd. http://www.edigroupscotland.co.uk
The Donside Community Hydro is a renewable energy micro-hydro power plant. It was established by residents of Donside Village which is built on the site of the former Donside Papermill. The hydro utilises an old lade originally used by the mill. It now produces clean renewable energy which will provide funding for community activities. Most of the site can be viewed from a public accessible path. The turbine house is not wheelchair accessible. ?
Meeting point: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Killermont Street entrance,�G2 3NY From Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to King Tut�s via Glasgow School of Art and the site of the Apollo, Glasgow�s Music Mile tour is a whistle-stop guide around the city centre, an area teeming with music venues past and present.
Doors Open Days 2019 was our biggest yet! Have a wee look back on all the amazing venues that were open across Scotland for free this September. Thanks to all the volunteers, visitors, partners and funders - we can't wait for next year! If you visited the festival, we'd love to hear your feedback: http://bit.ly/dod2019visitorsurvey.
Douglas Academy's current building opened in 2009 providing bright, spacious facilities fit for purpose. It has extensive indoor and outdoor sports areas, including a large games hall and fitness suite, and also has a modern library and performance area. During Doors Open Day there were?tours of the building including music recitals from the Douglas Academy Music School, art work and local history displays.
The Museum building, originally the Dower House of Douglas Castle, is situated adjacent to the ancient St Brides Church. It houses six stained glass windows depicting coats of arms of the Douglas Earls.
The Mausoleum is an imposing memorial to the history of Castle Douglas and a fine example of early nineteenth century funerary architecture. It contains the remains of 25 members of the Douglas family, beginning with Sir William - the founder of Castle Douglas, who died in 1821. The last member was interred in 1965 (George Douglas from New York). The Mausoleum became an A listed building in 1971 and members of the Community Council are dedicated to preserving this historic structure.
The doocot (dovecot, pigeon house) is a Grade 2 listed building and a prominent feature of the designed landscape of the Dougalston Estate. It has an interesting exterior with about 70 masons’ marks to be seen and the interior, which is not normally accessible to the public, will be open for viewing the intact nest boxes.
Tells the story of the pioneering work carried out at the site over the last fifty years and how UKAEA is working with the community to establish Caithness as a global centre of excellence in nuclear decommissioning.
Dovecot Studios is a world-renowned tapestry studio and leading centre for contemporary art, craft and design. Located in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town, Dovecot Studios occupies a former Victorian Bath House, the Infirmary Street Baths, which were the first public baths in Edinburgh. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS As a leading international tapestry studio, Dovecot prides itself on working with artists from around the globe. We have created many tapestries and rugs with international artists, and our work is held in many international collections.
Built c. 1587, The Dower House sits in the corner of St Margaret?s Park. It is thought to have been built with stones from Corstorphine Castle. The building?s alternative name, Gibsone?s Lodge, comes from the Gibsone of Pentland family who lived there in the 18th century. The building has characteristic Scottish crow-stepped gables and scrolled skew puts. The exterior is harled and lime washed and shows signs of alteration over the years with both gable ends probably having been built at different times. There is a small but well stocked museum, archive room and coffee shop.
They've been building stoves at Dowlings since 1982, and Steve and his workforce are justly proud of the company's skills and commitment to environmental sustainability. Their stoves, built of the heaviets gauges of steel on the domestic market, ahve been fitted in caravans and castles, houseboats and hotels, cottages and country houses. Come to Bladnoch and find out about a Galloway industry which is making the most of low overhead to develop creative and efficent stove design.
Two hump-back arches survive of this former 3-arch bridge probably constructed in the early 1700s. Third arch demolished by the 'Great spate' floods of l829 and never replaced. Surface turfing by Moray Council,1985
Downie's Cottage was built in the middle of the 19th century by John Downie who tenanted the small croft and supplemented his income as a mountain guide to Victorian gentry. The tiny cottage continued to be occupied by some of his children until the 1930's when t was abandoned. the property lay largely undisturbed apart from inquisitive visitors until it was acquired in 2006 with the benefit of planning permission for it's demolition. The new owners were concerned that the property was too 'special' to demolish in that the original heather thatch roof (under corrugated iron that had saved the building from deterioration; box beds; timber hingin lum and other features remained. Advice was taken from Historic Scotland and the result was the property being awarded Category A status (building of national importance) and the owners undertook it's restoration with the work being completed in 2017. The building now benefits from the comforts of modern living; however, all historic features have been restored and modern elements are very discreetly hidden away. The key features such as the timber hingin lum and box beds remain and the attic retains it's lining of colour prints and newspapers dating from the late 1800's and the start of the 20th century. the property has been featured in various magazine articles and was a finalist in both the green Energy Awards and the RCIS awards. www.downiescottage.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/Downies-Cottage-634647963272866/ https//www.instagram.com/downiescottage/?hl=en
Take in an enormous sweep of Scottish history as experienced by the Irvine family who lived in Drum Castle for over 650 years, from the 14th century onwards. Drum is one of Royal Deeside’s top historic attractions, just 10 miles from Aberdeen. It is one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses and is set beside an ancient oak woodland and a walled garden that contains a fine collection of historic roses which perfume the air. William de Irwyn was gifted the Royal Forest of Drum and the Tower of Drum by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. The tower has benefitted from various improvements over the centuries, including a Jacobean mansion house extension in 1619 and Victorian adaptations, such as the impressive library converted from the lower hall
Started in 1960 by Cathy Reid, who sadly died last year, this is an intriguing and extensive collection of everyday objects relating to past life in the Grampian countryside. It is arranged in sections related to the house, kitchen, farming etc.
'The Black Tower of Drumlanrig' can be traced from its earliest years as a 16 C fortified Tower House and stronghold of Douglas power. In 19C the Tower served as Hawick's main commercial inn and latterly as the Tower Hotel, (closed in the 1980s). Following restoration it currently serves as a Museum and Visitor Centre.
A unique chance to take a look behind the gates of this private garden. Covering nearly three acres, the garden has a wide variety of trees and shrubs in the borders and in the central grassed area.
Listed Category A. Picturesque castellated mansion designed by Thomas Mackenzie, Elgin, built 1846-47 for Admiral Archibald Duff. Fine interior with original wallpaper (1847) in dining room and boudoir, and reproduced (1988) in the white and gold drawing room.
Victorian walled garden specialising in organic grown vegetables and flowers. Linked to church, road and railway by footpath passing within sight of l8C Kirkton House (not open).
Exhibition devoted to the village, its environment and history, prepared by pupils and staff.
Drum is one of Royal Deeside?s top historic attractions, just 10 miles from Aberdeen. It is one of Scotland?s oldest tower houses and is set beside an ancient oak woodland and a walled garden that contains a fine collection of historic roses which perfume the air. William de Irwyn was gifted the Royal Forest of Drum and the Tower of Drum by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. The tower has benefitted from various improvements over the centuries, including a Jacobean mansion house extension in 1619 and Victorian adaptations, such as the impressive library converted from the lower hall
The New Plant Nursery Complex was opened on 19th August 1989, in Drumpellier Country Park. The Nursery has the capacity of growing 927 square metres of plants under cover. It arranges floral decorations for all Council events, produces the summer and winter plant containers as well as supplying the bedding and perennial plants for various site throughout North Lanarkshire. The Nursery has been a popular tourist attraction over the years seeing various tropical plants and seasonal displays, with ornamental gardens such as the house garden and peace garden.
The Drumsheugh Baths Club was designed by Sir John James Burnett (1857-1938) on the steeply sloping north side of Belford Road. The Baths opened in 1882, articulated in the Moorish style, with a deeply shadowed entrance under a low-pitch stone bracketed roof, a popular style for baths at that time.
Situated by the Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial and Garden of Remembrance Dryfesdale Lodge Visitors’ Centre is not just a memorial to the disaster but is also a tribute to the tight-knit community of Lockerbie. Since opening, the centre welcomes many thousands of visitors from home and abroad each year. There are two exhibition rooms in the lodge and also the Dryfesdale Room that is used as a quiet room for visitors to reflect. The first exhibition room houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Lockerbie stretching from its pre-historic origins to 1988’s terrorist attack and beyond. The second exhibition room hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year ranging from the history of Curling in Lockerbie to work done by the local Spinners Weavers and Dyers. The Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial sits within the tranquil setting of the Garden of Remembrance at the far end of Dryfesdale Cemetery. The garden of pretty flower beds and individual
Visit the UK�s first experiential brewery creating fresh, award-winning beer under the iconic Seven Peaks of 85 Drygate. Join an informal and informative brewery tour to learn about Glasgow�s brewing history, Drygate�s microbrewery and even how to brew your own beer. The only Microbrewery operating in the historic heart of Glasgow, Drygate has been brewing with Open Doors and Open Minds for four years, mashing in for the first time in 2014. Operating across our state of the art bespoke 24Hl Brewhouse + 250L Studio Brewery, our brewing team share a passion for great beer. Housed in a converted box factory under the iconic Seven Peaks of the roof, our building reflects on Glasgow�s industrial past while the experiential brewery inside invites visitors on a journey of brewing and discovery. Take a peek behind the glass with a guided tour around our Studio Brew Room & 24Hl Production Brewhouse. One of our knowledgeable & passionate Beer Advocates will guide you on a walking tour of our Brewery, discussing processes & ingredients alongside the history of our company and brewing in the East End of Glasgow. �
Drylaw Police Station is a modern 2 storey building housing a chief inspector, an inspector, 6 sergeants and approximately 80 constables responsible for policing the Forth and Inverleith areas.
1970s car show room, now the Department of Trade and Industry's National Repository for more than 300km of rock core taken from wells drilled in UK waters. For Doors Open Day, examples from UK oil and gas fields were displayed together with videos and posters of geological interest. Geologists from the British Geological Survey provided tours.
Duddingston Village Community Land comprises an old, walled kitchen garden and tennis court, cow byre and paddock. Adjacent is The Field, an environmental project of planted woodland & herb-rich meadow, also containing a Scottish apple orchard and paths and benches for visitors to admire the lochside setting of the Village from the hill. The Community Land & Field, though separate projects, reinstate a connection between Duddingston Village and Arthur's Seat. � �
Superb classical villa of 1763 by Sir William Chambers for the bachelor 8th Earl of Abercorn. Two storeys in pale stone, with a quartet of Corinthian columns forming a pedimented portico. Superb sculpted plasterwork and magnificent fireplaces. Now the offices of PJMP Architects. Exhibition of work.
This 12th century church is located in Duddingston Village. Built c1124 on land granted to Kelso Abbey by King David I, it originally consisted of a chancel and nave. The original entrance includes a particularly fine example of Scoto-Norman stone carving. The Prestonfield Aisle was added 1631 and includes burial vaults. In 1968 the interior was reordered to reflect the Post-Reformation layout. The entrance to the mainly Georgian kirkyard is notable for its gatehouse, built as a lookout point to deter bodysnatchers.
Duff House was built between 1735 and 1740 as a seat of the Earls of Fife. The Duffs were an ambitious family who acquired great wealth, power and status, finally marrying into the Royal family in the late 19th century. In the 20th century it was in turn a hotel, sanatarium and occupied by troops during the Second World War. In 1995, after extensive restoration, it opened as a visitor attraction and art gallery. Today it is run in partnership by Aberdeenshire Council, Historic Scotland (the building's owners) and The National Galleries of Scotland, who provide the permanent collection of paintings and furniture.
Duff House Mausoleum, Wrack Woods, Banff
Built on the site of a Carmelite burial ground this “Gothick” structure houses the remains of the first five Earls (starting in 1705) and other Duff family members, with several interesting memorials. Outside is a tomb that used to be in Banff cemetery and was falsely used by the 2nd Earl to claim a family connection to Robert the Bruce – with an interesting linked story involving the Carmelite monks from the nearby “Mount Carmel” (also worth a visit, a further 300m along the track). The mausoleum occupies an extremely peaceful and picturesque location above the River Deveron, so much so that it has been used for weddings. – It also contains several excellent examples of quite early Coade stone, an 18th century artificial stone that can weather extremely well – even here after more than 200 years in what is perhaps the most northerly example. Disabled access - Partial - Outside - yes for wheelchairs; Inside - 3 steps to access but then flat. Disabled Toilets - either at Duff House itself or with radar key near the rugby pitches, both passed about 1 mile before on the way to the Mausoleum. Toilets - either at Duff House itself or near rugby pitches, both passed about 1 mile on the way to the Mausoleum. Parking - near Duff House with about a mile walk. Disabled parking for 2 cars adjacent to the Mausoleum. Refreshments are available at Duff House.
Unlisted 1862. Now used by the Keith & Dufftown Railway running trains the eleven mile journey each summer weekend.
Built around 1700 with a large extension in the 1800s, Duffus House has long been associated with Gordonstoun School. Find out more of its past as a family home, a school boarding house and exciting plans for the future. Drinks & cakes available. Outdoor children’s’ activities provided by Earthtime. Access via B9012. Disabled access to ground floor only.
Dumbarton Central Station & The Armed Forces Veterans Association
How to get there : Dumbarton Central Station, if not reached by rail, is from Station Road or Church Street / Townend Road. The Armed Forces Veterans Association can be found on Platform Two. This is a small but fascinating centre for the veterans of our armed services. You are invited to pop in to see what they do and perhaps exchange stories. Those manning it are keen to chat about the association and children may find the models of interest. The group assists anyone, of any age, who has served in the Armed Forces at any point in their life and also helps families to overcome difficulties. Volunteers – many of whom are veterans themselves – provide support across a wide range of areas. Projects include helping people find employment, offering practical and emotional support after marriage breakups, assisting in finding accommodation, relieving the negative impact of social isolation, and directing individuals to where to find help and advice on benefits. But the centre also welcomes visitors and is keen to show what it does and to share information on the armed forces. There is a small display. There is a small cafe on Platform One. The station is a category A listed building, a great example of Scottish industrial heritage. The railway originally opened 1854, but was altered and widened to the south in about 1896. The present structures are mostly from 1896 although electrification had an impact on the canopies. There are several gothick features such as castelated parapets and stone windows at the lower level. In its heyday, the lower level had various rooms for tickets, baggage, waiting areas etc and these were served by a pair of ornately tiled stairs (they are still there, but concealed). The station is currently the focus of a study to improve it and the surrounds.
Railway originally opened 1854, but altered and widened to south circa 1896; present structures mostly 1896.
How to get there : Castle Green Street, Dumbarton. Parking in the street only. This is an active station on call at any moment so you need to look out for vehicle and other movement. Part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services. Learn about the service, careers, fire safety at home and other aspects. You may pick up some very valuable safety information for your home. See fire engines up close and meet the firemen who man them. All of the family will find this fascinating. Get to see around the fire appliances and all the equipment used by the modern fire service. See the Firefighters in action and carrying out their daily drills. Guided tours are available on request. (A prior call to the station would be appreciated). Note, there may be appliance movement for turnouts! Here are some tips to start with : It is essential that your home has a working smoke alarm on each level of the property. If a fire starts, this will give you and your family time to get to safety. Doors slow down the spread of potentially deadly smoke and flames, so it is important to remember to close them at night. Fire often starts in the kitchen and no-one should ever leave a cooker unattended while it is in use. It is important to keep lit candles away from children and pets, and from curtains or other flammable materials.
OPENING TIMES : The library opens Monday to Saturday. Times available : https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/libraries/library-branches/dumbarton-library/ While the library naturally has a great book collection and has some interesting architectural features, it is for what else is available that it is included in this Doors Open Day event. These include: Local history materials, family history resources and archives covering the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven areas Local history resources including some publications for sale An exhibition on "From Living Memory to Memorial: Dumbarton’s WWI Stories". The exhibition : FROM LIVING MEMORY TO MEMORIAL : DUMBARTON'S WWI STORIES" runs until November 2018. It brings together photographs and family stories outlining the hardships, emotions and resilience of local people during the four years of war. It also explains what life was like on the front line as many men from the area made the ultimate sacrifice in the "war to end all wars".
The walk will be led by Dave Harvie. Meet at the Municipal Buildings at 13.00. The tour will terminate at Levenford House at approximately 15.15.
The restored Control Tower of the former WWII airfield at Dumfries is the centrepiece of the Museum and is now a listed building. The Museum is run by volunteers and houses a large and ever expanding aircraft collection, aero engines and a very impressive display of artefacts and personal histories relating to aviation, past and present. Both civil and military are represented. There is also a small, but ever expanding collection of memorabilia honouring airborne forces; a new art exhibition of work by the Guild of Aviation Artists and a mock-up of a WWII living room.
From the Cold War threat to the Lockerbie disaster, to Foot and Mouth and the recent severe winters of 2010 and 2011, the threats that have faced Dumfries and Galloway have undoubtedly changed over the years. Local government has had to develop strategies for local resilience to reflect these challenges. The Council Emergency Centre or ‘the Bunker’ as it is known, has been something of a constant during this period of change.
Modern Movement building by Boswell Mitchell and Johnston, currently with an extensive new building programme under way. Tours offer 'The Alternative Hospital Visit' and will include visits to the switchboard/communications system, art/exhibition gallery, CT scanner and the hospital catering department.
18thC and earlier buildings on this site were extended and converted to a warehouse around 1860, and the building has variously been used as a pianoforte warehouse and sheet music shop, and for the curing of hams. The Victorian signage relating to this enterprise was discovered under layers of paint on the first floor lintels in 2013, and has been conserved and retained, reading 'ham-curing cheese & provision warehouse'. By the 1880s the building was in use as a bakehouse by Thomson Brothers, bakers, of Glasgow. In 1963, William C Gill & Sons, wholesale stationers and paper merchants, moved here from premises in Old Union Street. They traded from their shop on Queen Street until 2008, by which time the building had become very dilapidated, with large holes in the roof. The building has been converted and revived with upper floors as private apartments and the ground floor housing the Yellow Door Gallery, and the base for the Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust, a charity who aim to preserve buildings of architectural and historical interest in the town.
A treasure house of history in Dumfries and Galloway telling the story of the land and people of the region. Look out for fossil footprints left by prehistoric animals, the wildlife of the Solway, tools and weapons of our earliest people, stone carvings by Scotland’s first Christians and the everyday things of the Victorian farm, workshop and home. Museum activity trails and gallery investigations, visitor information and a shop with unusual and nostalgic toys, gifts and pocket money buys. The windmill tower and Camera Obscura are accessed via a spiral staircase – please telephone for further details. Camera Obscura viewings are not available when it is raining in order to preserve this rare historical instrument.
Dumfries Sheriff Court was designed by David Rhind of Edinburgh and built in 1863-6. It is a tall Baronial red sandstone building which boasts a giant pepperpot turret and cannon spouts. Following an extensive internal renovation in 1994 the Court continues to ensure justice for the people of Dumfries and Galloway. In February 2010 Unification of Courts in the area took place and District Courts were abolished, Justice of the Peace Courts were established and since then all different levels of crime are now dealt with in the same building with the exception of the more serious that are still dealt with by the High Court.
Dun an Sticir is an example of how in mediaeval times the original Iron Age 'brochs', hollow walled windowless fortifications often built on islands and reached by a tricky causeway, were later adapted for more domestic purposes. The building of brochs for defensive purposes seems to date from 500 BC. Over the previous thousand years cooler climactic changes had encouraged layers of peat to gradually move downhill, overgrazing had taken its toll, and land for cultivation had become scarcer, forcing people to migrate to the lower ground. Duns comprised a single outer rounded wall, forming a tall tower often rising to 40 feet, mirrored internally by a second curving wall enclosing an inner chamber. This was a relatively straightforward fortification to build in order to protect your land. Erskine Beveridge also found evidence at Dun an Sticir of a gallery six feet above ground level. Remains of two huts where livestock could have been protected could also be seen. The rectangular stone structure built within the walls using the stone available, with its door and window, dates from the mediaeval period. A second island, Eilean na Mi-Chomhairle (the Island of Bad Council), is linked to Dun an Sticir (the Dun of the Skulker) by a causeway. Both Gaelic names suggest a darker and less peaceful era.
The partially-renovated B-listed Dunans Castle, and Thomas Telford's A-listed Dunans Bridge, are the centre-pieces in a uniquely designed landscape which includes the UK's tallest tree and an extended Victorian path network. Dunans House has been inhabited since at least 1590, and the castle since 1864. The Castle was ruined by fire in 2001 and, since 2003, the present owners have been working to restore the castle, the bridge and the grounds through the Scottish Laird project.
Dunaverty?s new Community Hall replaces the old Drill Hall of 1913, which became the Village Hall for Southend in 1965. Visitors will have a chance to find out how the local community?s perseverance and hard work has resulted in this splendid new building which will become the hub of the village for the community and visitors, alike. Plans include a Post Office, meeting and leisure facilities with changing rooms, heritage room and community garden.
A two-hour tour of Dunbar's historic town centre looking at the work of the Dunbar Townscape Heritage Initiative led by Paul Zochowsky, a principal planner at East Lothian Council.
Destroyed by fire 1987, reconstructed 1991. Unique blend of 19-20C architecture. Also contains one of the most important pieces of monumental sculpture in Scotland - monument to the Earl of Dunbar by Maximilian Colt, dated 1611.
Dunbar and District History Society conducted Local History Walks Around Dunbar for Beginners.
With its distinctive witch's hat tower and its bell, clock and sun dials the Town House has been the focus of Dunbar life since the 16th century. Our staff are always on hand to chat about the town and the history of the building. Take a guided tour to visit the council chamber – scene of the infamous witch trials – and the historic cell. The building is home to a museum and gallery with changing historical and art exhibitions. GLOBAL CONNECTIONS The guided tours will take you to the parts of the building that can’t always be accessed, including the magnificent Council Chamber, prison cells and to displays that celebrate Dunbar’s twin town connections in France and California. ACTIVITIES The building is accessible on all levels and is home to a museum and gallery with changing historical and art exhibitions as well as a local history display area and research room managed by Dunbar and District History Society. Dunbar and District History Society members will be providing guided tours of the building. The tours will incorporate an audio-visual installation in the historic cells.
With its distinctive witch's hat tower and its bell, clock and sun dials the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century. Our staff are always on hand to chat about the town and the history of the building. The building is home to a museum and gallery with changing historical and art exhibitions.
Located in the Old School, Dunbeath Heritage Centre is an open door to the rich past of a Caithness strath and the landscape of Neil Gunn's Highland River and Silver Darlings. There is an exhibition about the Wag of Forse archaeological site, art installations, a bookshop, and a chance to view documents held within our Neil Gunn Society Archive.
Palladian villa built in 1771 by William Chambers as a private mansion for Sir Laurence Dundas. Headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland since 1825. Magnificent sculpted plasterwork. The spectacular domed telling room, John Dick Peddie, 1857, is behind the original house.
The site of R&R Clark printworks, redeveloped in 1979 and refurbished by Standard Life in 2002. BDG McColl created a practical and modern working environment incorporating the facade of the old printworks. Inside the four-storey atrium provides restaurant and meeting space as well as natural light. Lightweight bridges and glass lifts provide access to all levels of the atrium while steel trees allow the space to remain open and free from structural elements. http://www.standardlife.com
Dundee Art Societys private picture collection will be on show plus artists will be working on their own work throughout the weekend. Dundee Art Society has been part of the art centre in the city since the late 19th Century. Local businessmen came together to found a museum and art gallery which is now the McManus Art Gallery and Museum . The focus of both professional and amature artists now and in its beginning was toi promote the organisation of art classes, talks, demonstrations and exhibitions for its members. The society has a private collection of paintings including works by David Fuggie, James McIntosh Patrick and James Reville.
Drop in to see this marvellous building with a unique design; the first purpose built mosque in North East Scotland using traditional Scottish materials and energy efficient construction techniques. On each corner is a rounded tower with a minaret and plain glass at the top. On the South elevation is a Mihrab, a semi-circular projection from the wall with a copper dome on top. See also the Mosque website: www.dundeeislamicsociety.com for further information on the event.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dundee City Archives we will be offering special tours behind the scenes at the archives. Tours will include a chance to get up close with some original documents covering Dundee’s history from the 14th century to the present day. See documents from some of our key collections, including the Keiller Collection, Caledon Shipbuilders Collection and the Dundee Harbour Trust Collection. Find out more about Dundee’s history and the people who have lived here. Some of our volunteers will also be on hand to explain about the work they have been doing at the Archives. Tours will take place at 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:00pm. Booking is essential for the tours as spaces are limited. Each tour will take around 45 minutes. There will also be a talk about “The Street Names of Dundee” at 11am and “How to Research your Dundee Family History” at 12:30pm. Booking is not essential for the talks. Talks will last around 45 minutes.
Walk: Hidden Gems based on works of WG Lamond - Schools, Churches, Domestic Buildings - Finishes City Centre.
Our Church will be open between 1030am and 1400pm on Saturday 14th.September when we will be decorating the Church for Harvest. There may be organ recitals during this period. Tea and coffee will be served in the Welcome Hall. The Church will also be open from 1030am until 1230pm on Sunday 15th. September when we will be celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving.
Drop in to our projection booth during Doors Open Days and get a behind the scenes look at how we put films on our screens. Discover more about cinema technology and its development and see a part of DCA that’s rarely open to the public. Tour our Print Studio and find out how out team supports artists to create and present work.