Area Programmes

There has been a working Smiddy in Cousland since 1703.  When the local blacksmith retired in 1989, the Cousland Smiddy Trust was set up to save the Smiddy,  as one of the last in Scotland.  In 2001 the Smiddy complex and its gardens were purchased by the Trust and are now open to the public regularly throughout the summer months with group bookings welcome.  Funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland enabled the restoration of the smith's cottage which now provides an interpretation space and a recreation of the smith's sitting from the 1960s.  James Fleming operates a blacksmith's business from the building and 13 organic allotments in the grounds are let to villagers.

www.cousland.net

On Doors Open Day there will be 30 minute blacksmithing demonstrations at 10.30, 11.30, 14.00 and 15.00.

Teas, home-baking and local produce will also be available all day.

Some assistance may be required for disabled access.

Built in the late 14th century as the lordly residence of the Crichtons and later home to the Earls of Bothwell, this castle, currently in the care of Historic Scotland is home to a variety of bats, such as pipistrelle, brown long-eared and Natterers.  If you have ever visited Crichton Castle by day, you may only have been a few feet away from some of these interesting creatures that spend the daylight hours hidden away, but who come out at night to hunt for flying insects. 

www.midlothian.gov.uk/biodiversity

BOOKING IN ADVANCE IS ESSENTIAL.  Please telephone the Midlothian Ranger Service on 01875 821990 to reserve your place.

Join Midlothian Council's Biodiversity Officer and one of Midlothian's Rangers to see and hear, with the use of bat detectors, which bats are inhabiting Crichton Castle and also to experience this wonderful historic building during twilight hours. 

The event starts at 19.00 hrs and finishes at 20.30 hrs approximately.  Please leave enough time to walk from the car park to reach the castle for 19.00 hrs.

Some assistance may be required with disabled access.

Dalkeith Fire Station opened on 9 November 1970, providing a high quality firefighting and rescue service in response to fires and other emergencies; educating and advising the general public on fire safety matters; enforcing fire safety legislation and advising local authorities and other agencies with respect to their own legal obligations.

www.lbfire.org.uk

On Doors Open Day the fire station opens its doors to members of the public. Visitors have the chance to see inside a working fire station. In the afternoon there will be an equipment demonstration (14.00-15.00 hrs).
Very limited on site parking. Car parking is available close by in Dalkeith town centre (nearest public car park is adjacent to Fairfield House).

Please note that the fire station is in operation throughout the day.  Please do not park in front of fire appliance bay doors.

There will be guided tours of the house every half hour commencing at 10am with the last tour at 3pm.

Booking is essential. Please e-mail dalkeithhouse@uwrf.edu in order to book your place, stating your top 3 preferred times.

The Lodge was completed and consecrated in 1766 by the local order of Freemasons and is reputedly the oldest purpose-built lodge room in the world. The Freemasons are the only surviving trade guild in Dalkeith and the lodge room continues to be used to this day. The lodge room contains many historical Masonic artefacts and features, including a statue of St Andrew by Sir John Steele. This lodge was one of the founder lodges of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. 

There will be guided tours and the Lodge will be set out as if for a Masonic Meeting. Members will be on hand to assist with any enquiries. 

Complimentary tea and coffee for visitors. 

Some assistance may be required with disabled access.

Built in 1885 to a design by Sir Rowand Anderson, leading church architect. The four storied saddle roofed tower (unique in the Lothians at the time) was added 10 years later. The Bell of 1702 and the old font were taken from Glencorse Old Parish Church at Erncraig, a quarter of a mile beyond the present Kirk. The old Kirk remained in use until 6 December 1885, when the last sermon was preached. Alterations to Glencorse Kirk were completed in 2007 to comply with the European Disabled Access Bill. Glencorse Kirk has a long association with the army and Glencorse Barracks.

LRT Services 37 and 47 from Edinburgh - bus stop at Glencorse Golf Club
First Bus Services 62 from Peebles - bus stop opposite Glencorse Golf Club

Enjoy a visit to this beautiful listed building in its rural setting, a short journey up Kirk Brae from Milton Bridge.

Public Transport

• First Bus Service 62 from Peebles - bus stop opposite Glencorse Golf Club
• LRT services 37 and 47 from Edinburgh - bus stop at Glencorse Golf Club  

The church was opened in 1830 for the Lasswade Congregation in the United Presbyterian Church. In 1894 the Church was completely overhauled and several alterations carried out. Amongst the gifts which came to the congregation at that time were the present handsome pulpit, the stained glass windows at each side of it, the entrance porch, and the bell. In 1929 the UP Church united with the Church of Scotland.

On Saturday 22 April 1956, the congregations of Lasswade Old Parish Church and Lasswade Strathesk united to form the present congregation of Lasswade Parish Church, and have continued to use this building for worship every Sunday morning since then.

Penicuik House and its immediate surroundings are now in the ownership of the Penicuik House Preservation Trust, and work has been ongoing on site for over a year to consolidate this magnificent ruin and improve access to the surrounding estate. 2009 saw the completion of the first phase of the restoration work to the house and the opening of a purpose built, on site training facility. Penicuik House is the finest and most influential example of Palladian architecture in Scotland. It sits at the centre of an important 18C  designed landscape, which together form an exceptional physical record of the artistic patronage of the Clerk Family. Pencuik House was gutted by fire in 1899 and has stood as a ruin for over a hundred years. The Penicuik House Project aims to make Penicuik House and the surrounding areas available for the public to enjoy and the project will also deliver considerable training benefits in the use of traditional building materials and techniques. Please note that the converted stable block is not included in the Doors Open Day Programme and there will be no access to this building. 

www.penicuikhouse.co.uk

Why not join us on Doors Open Day this year to visit our training centre and see how the building work has progressed. There will be activities throughout the day for all ages, including tours of the house and surroundings, demonstrations of traditional building skills and children's craft activities. Experts from the Scottish Lime Centre Trust will also be on hand to answer any questions you might have about your own building project - bring a photo for specifc advice.

Please meet at Penicuik House for guided walking tours at 11.30 and 13.30 hrs. 

An easy walk from car park on A766, with vehicular access to site for blue badge holders only. 

One of the most striking features as you approach the cemetery is the line of ancient yew trees running along the perimeter wall. The largest building at Old Pentland is the Gibsone Mausoleum designed in 1839 by the architect Thomas Hamilton; another of his buildings is the Royal High School. It commemorates Sir John Gibsone and his wife Henrietta and more recently, Jack Gibsone, Laird of Pentland, who died December 1992.

The Gate House was constructed to provide shelter for the family of the recently deceased, who kept watch until the body was no longer of use to the anatomists. Within the Gate House are the Arnold Stones thought to be from the 12/13C, associated with the Knights Templar.

Old Pentland also has links with the Covenanting movement and the Battle of Rullion Green. 

Last year during Doors Open Day a geophysical survey was carried out within the burial ground. The distinct features of buried walls were observed. The results showed extant foundations which indicate the existence of a church. Further investigation this year hopes to expose the apse end of the church to confirm the curved wall.

There are information boards on site and the Gibson Mausoleum and Gatehouse will be open.

(Limited parking on verge opposite, some disabled access possible with care and assistance.)