Area Programmes

John Kirkhope will give a guided Tour of the exterior of Cumbernauld House, the two Castles sites and areas where previous archaeological excavations were undertaken.

The Tour will gather and commence in front of the main steps and front door of Cumbernauld House at 1200 on both Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th. 

Please bring appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.  All walkers must be responsible for their own safety and for those in their care.  All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Toilets and refreshment will be available at Colzium House.

This C(s) listed building, located in the Victoria and Town Centre Conservation Area, was designed by JM Arthur in 1924 and now houses Airdrie Public Library.  The site and building were largely funded by Andrew Carnegie and Airdrie Savings Bank.  The twin doric columns emphasise the entrance and provide a welcoming feature.  The library contains the Covenanting Standard of East Monklands from the Battle of Bothwell Brig in 1679.

Children's storytelling, quizzes and craft activities will be available.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Situated above Airdrie Library, this C(s) listed building is a unique part of Airdrie’s built heritage.  Being one of only four such municipal Public Observatories in the United Kingdom, Airdrie is the smallest of the Public Observatories and it dates back to 1896. 

The Observatory is located above Airdrie Public Library and is a facility owned by North Lanarkshire Council and ran in partnership with Airdrie Astronomical Association. The original telescope was donated to Airdrie Library by local astronomer Doctor Reid.  

In 2009 the telescope was dismantled and removed from site to allow an overhaul and extensive refurbishment to be undertaken.  Additional works including installing a new Observatory dome and Library Roof were also undertaken at this time.

Observatory: no wheelchair access, up 4 flights of stairs

Tours available.

A family business founded in 1948, Albert Bartlett invested £30 in an old water boiler and cast iron bath in order that he might set up a small beetroot boiling operation in Coatbridge.  Albert Bartlett is the UK's leading grower and packer of root vegetables.  In November 2003 they moved from their Watt Street home to a new state-of-the-art facility on Stirling Road.  The site packs over 4,000 tonnes of potatoes a week and has been accredited with various environmental awards. 

Presentation on the life of a potato, from farm to plate.  Information on the company and brand, potato sampling and factory tour. 

Factory Tours (maximum groups of 50) (tours times are 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30)
There will be potato sampling and 'Mr Potato men' to greet children. 

Please note that the factory is suitable for children over the age of 6 and all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  For Health and Safety reasons all jewellery should be removed prior to entering the Factory.  Due to the nature of the Factory some areas may be inaccessible for disabled visitors. 

The IRN-BRU Factory will open its doors for a 1 hour tour of the Factory to visitor who have booked in advance. Unfortunately visitors who have not booked a tour place in advance will not be admitted to the factory. Tour includes Barr History Exhibition, Factory Gantry (no wheelchair access in this area) and the High Bay Warehouse (no wheelchair access in this area).

The company has invested over £37m in the site's production, warehousing and distribution facilities in recent years, with plans to invest a further £10m in the site over the next 18 months. In 2009 Cumbernauld produced 25 million cases which contained 216 million litres of product. 

BOOKING ESSENTIAL - ALL TOURS FULLY BOOKED
As this is a working factory all visitors must book a tour place for Saturday 11th September 2010 only in advance. The site will not be open on Sunday 12th September due to the Cumbernauld Half Marathon Road Race. 

Visitors who have not booked in advance will not be admitted to the factory.  Please note that all tours for this event are now fully booked.  The booking line in now closed.

Please note the factory is only suitable for children aged 10 years and over and all children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.  Please note that group bookings cannot be accepted for this tour.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

A rare chance to sit in a fire engine and take a tour of the station.  Community safety advice will be provided as well as tea and coffee. 

A rare change to sit in a fire engine and take a tour of the station.  Community safety advice will also be provided as well as tea and coffee. 

Please note: fire engines may be unavailable at times as this is a working station.

Opening dates and times - to be confirmed

This B listed elegant rectangular-plan gothic church was designed by Alexander Wallace in 1878.  The church contains an elegant pulpit of Caen stone from France with pillars of dark Serpentine marble.  The Church organ was built by Thomas Lewis and Son of London.

Guided tours, video presentation and information booklets will be available