The inter-denominational Robin Chapel is an 'A-listed' building within the Thistle Founcation housing complex at Craigmillar.

The chapel, in the Arts and Craft style, is unique with rich, ornate carvings by Thomas Goode, the Sadi McLellan stained glass panels depicting Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" and the dedication to Robin Tudsbery, of the Royal Horse Guards, who died in active service.

Choral Evensong will be performed at 4.30pm on Sunday 26 September.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Amisfield House was demolished in 1928 but its wonderful Walled Garden is A-listed and encloses eight acres. The Summer House is B-listed.

To access the garden please turn south off the A199 about one mile east of Haddington at the Stevenson-Hailes junction and look out for two big stone pillars on the right.

Guided tours on the hour from 11.00 to 16:00.

BOOKING REQUIRED  Telephone 01620 827873 or email doorsopenday@eastlothian.gov.uk,

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Discover Scotland's oldest free lending library housed in an elegant Georgian building beside the River Earn and adjacent to Innerpeffray Chapel and graveyard. Innerpeffray Library was founded in 1680, along with a school, by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie. The present building was built in 1762 to house the growing collection of books. Of 3,000 titles printed before 1810, the earliest printed work dates from 1502.

The scope of the collections is vast; find the names, occupations and addresses of local people who borrowed books – are your family here?

On display will be Rambling and Roving - Tour Scotland by Book, a special exhibition, part of an exciting new collection returning to Scotland in 2012.

Introductory tours will be conducted at 15 minutes past each hour.

The panelled library in Callendar House, designed by David Hamilton, is now home to the Council Archives, and holds a vast range of material relating to the local area; including electoral roles, family and personal papers, maps and thousands of photographs.

This ‘A’ listed building, Scotland’s first, purpose-built synagogue, is the home of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre (highlights on display).  Was refurbished and reconsecrated in 1998 at a cost of £660,000.

Features extensive high quality stained glass windows.

Security at the door is strict and no photography inside the building please.

The school has kindly offered to give talks on the history and philosophy of the school in the South Room at 14.30, 15.30 and 16.30.

Gordonstoun is about five miles north of Elgin on the B9012 Duffus road; the entrance will be signed. Cars can be parked behind Cumming House, between Hopeman House/Aberlour House and at the Refectory car park (see centre pages) Cyclists are welcome. Dog owners are requested to leave their dogs at home as suitable shaded car park areas cannot be guaranteed.  If present they should be kept on a lead.

Disabled access to almost all areas. For assistance ask one of the Stewards.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

On Doors Open Days take the opportunity to visit the last remaining Cruck Cottage in Dumfries and Galloway.   Fashioned from local materials with traditional skills, this cottage, like its many lost companions, was simply constructed on three massive oak cruck frames, fastened together with oak pegs.  Thatched, lime washed and earth floored, the cottage still possesses a hanging lum fireplace constructed from cob. 

The Cruck Cottage was lived in until the 1960s, and then fell into disrepair.  It was restored by Solway Heritage in 1990 using the same traditional skills and local materials.  The thatch was again renewed in 2004.

The Cottage is Category A listed by Historic Scotland, and now of a great rarity in Scotland.  Much of its maintenance and exciting plans for its future are now undertaken by the Cruck Cottage Heritage Association, who look forward to meeting visitors during the weekend, and plying them with tea and home baking.

The area is steeped in history and nearby Torthorwald Castle changed hands several times during conflicts between various families, notably the Kirkpatricks, and the Carlyles from across the border.  An insight into this period of our history will be available at the cottage. 

Demonstrations of spinning and weaving, and other local crafts, with traditional music provided by local musicians.  

Directions:
A709 from Dumfries, turn left onto Shieldhill Road, in the centre of Torthorwald.  Cruck Cottage is 100m up the road on your left.  Partial On street parking for six cars - access to the door for disabled drop off.

Tours. Musical entertainment.

Service 11.30.

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Our church building was designed by one of Glasgow’s most famous architects, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson (1817-1875). Thomson gained much of his inspiration from the classical architecture of Ancient Greece, which he applied with his own genius to the 19th century. 

For more information on the building’s architecture and to see how it is currently used, please visit our website: www.glasgowcityfreechurch.org.

There will be a special thanksgiving service at 11am on Sunday 19th for the recent refurbishment of areas of the church building.  Refreshments will be served and tours given. 

Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk

Category A Listed, this castellated jail was built in 1847 to replace what has been described in 1842 as the worst prison in Britain, the Tolbooth.

This new building boasted a more humane and hygienic environment with properly ventilated individual cells, central heating and a roof walkway. Past uses have included a military detention barracks, a confectionery factory and a civil defence centre. The building was empty for six decades until restoration work began in the 1990s to convert it into a visitor attraction and office space.
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Visitors can look around the galleried interior, now offices converted from the cells, and visit the central tower for fine views of Stirling.

Doors Open Day tours do not include the live prison tours of Stirling Old Town Jail, however, as a special offer only to Doors Open Day visitors the Old Town Jail will give a 10% discount on standard admission charges should anyone like to join the live prison tours.

The tour accesses the interior of the building and focuses mainly on the first and second floors. Maximum number in group 15
Tour times will be on demand
Duration approximately 20 minutes

Free car parking available to visitors

Limited Disabled access to offices is by steps only (no lift access available)