Find a building

Ayrshire

Doors Open Day throughout Ayrshire is co-ordinated by volunteers from Kyle and Carrick Civic Society, who were pioneers with Glasgow in 1990, so 2020 is our 31st!

There is a handful of buildings responding to the challenge of Digital Ayrshire DOD 2020. Many are offering a virtual tour round their venue and some are reaching inaccessible locations up steep stairs and showing views from the roof. One, following a tour of the church building, then demonstrates how the use of shaving foam in the churchyard reveals hidden information.

Funding to support Ayrshire's programme has kindly been provided by Ross Electrical.

There will be no printed brochure this year.

Ayrshire's Doors Open Days weekend is 12th and 13th September 2020.

And don't forget to leave us feedback on your experiences by completing our visitor survey. you could even win a prize!

Ayrshire

Auchinleck House

12-13 September 2020

Built c.1760 by Lord Auchinleck, and inherited by his son James Boswell, biographer of Dr Johnson. Johnson visited the house in 1773. It is a fine example of an 18th century country villa. Classical design strongly influenced by Adam. Fine pediment with elaborate detail and quote from Horace about the contentment to be found in country life. Saved by the Scottish Building Preservation Trust. Restoration completed by the Landmark Trust with splendid plaster-work and period furniture.

Ayrshire

Ayr Gaiety Theatre

12-13 September 2020

The Gaiety Theatre, designed by local architect J McHardy Young, was built in 1902. This category B listed building closed in 2009, and after a huge campaign by the local community, reopened in December 2012 with Cinderella. The theatre is now run as a charity by the Ayr Gaiety Partnership with the support of over 100 volunteers. In 2016 the Gaiety underwent a £2.4 million refurbishment which highlights the Art Deco and Edwardian heritage, with the Rococo style Cherubs being of particular historic interest.

Ayrshire

Ayr Town Buildings

12-13 September 2020

Thomas Hamilton, 1827-32, James Sellars, 1878-81. Neo-Classical landmark. High five-staged steeple with channelled columns and pedimented doorway, ornamented with Doric columns, urns and gryphons holding torches. Hall with organ, Council Chamber and Provost's Room.

Ayrshire

Ayr: Auld Kirk of Ayr

12-13 September 2020

Theophilus Rankine 1654. Successor church to mediaeval St John's (at Bruce Crescent). Cromwellian Government contributed 1,000 merks towards the cost of building the new church. Family church of Robert Burns, whose father was an elder. Fine interior with original pulpit, stained glass and three notable lofts.

Ayrshire

Ayr: Seafield House

12-13 September 2020

Seafield House was built by Sir William Arrol for his own family. It was rumoured that his bath had three taps so that he could bathe in seawater.

Ayrshire

Ayr: St Columba Parish Church

12-13 September 2020

Designed by John Bennie Wilson, opened 1902 at a cost of 5,000. Stained glass by Alexander Walker, 1912-3, Guthrie and Wells 1945, Susan Bradbury 1997, and Moira Malcolm. Resurrection window by Roland Mitton unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal, 2002. Cultured pencil tower with new carillon of eight bells which has been recently completed. Binns pipe organ recently restored.

Ayrshire

Ayr: Tower of St John's

12-13 September 2020

Remaining part of the original parish church of Ayr. The church, in its time the largest in Ayrshire, was cruciform in shape and the tower was perhaps added in the 14th century. In 1315 Robert the Bruce convened the Scottish Parliament in the church. Restored by J K Hunter for the 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1913-14. A landmark to seamen, it offers magnificent panoramic views.

Ayrshire

Dunlop Kirk

12-13 September 2020

Category-B listed building of 1835 incorporating earlier work from 1621. Outstanding 26 stained glass windows, unusual in a rural village. Recent 4-year major restoration and refurbishment programme following outbreak of dry rot, cost 3/4M. Two important Category-A listed building adjacent: early 17th century Hans Hamilton's Tomb of Dunlop's first post-Reformation minister, and Clandeboyes Hall (formerly village school) built to honour Hans Hamilton by one of his sons, Viscount Clandeboye. Come on a DOD guided virtual tour.

Ayrshire

Eglinton Country Park

12-13 September 2020

Eglinton Country Park covers 400 acres with several miles of beautiful walks, the Englinton Tournament Bridge and the ruins of Eglinton Castle.

stonyholm mill

Ayrshire

Kilbirnie: Stoneyholm Mill

12-13 September 2020

Prominent Category B listed cotton mill complex established in 1831 and now on the Buildings at Risk Register. In 1864 Dennyholm Mill took it over for flax spinning. Latterly used for the manufacture of fishing nets and twine by W & J Knox Ltd, some areas still being used for this purpose. Local community group has formed The Stoneyholm Mill Trust which, with NAC assistance, aims to preserve and regenerate the mill for future generations. Visitors will be able to see inside the mill, hear what it was like to work there and help shape its future.

Ayrshire

Kilmarnock: Kay Park Parish Church

12-13 September 2020

Thomas Smellie, 1906-7, Free Gothic in red sandstone on impressive site. Carillon of bells, 1950, Norman and Beard organ. Stained glass by Stephan Adam, Alf Website and four windows by Wendy Robertson, 1987. Brass cross by Benno Shotz. Church refurbished 2015-16 letting more light into the Sanctuary.

Ayrshire

Kilwinning Abbey Tower Heritage Centre

12-13 September 2020

Designed by David Hamilton, completed 1816, and built on the foundations of the NW tower of the 12th century Tironensian Abbey. Staffed by volunteers from Kilwinning Heritage. Displays on the Abbey, Robert Service 'The Bard of the Yukon', the Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers and the papingo competition dating from 1483, matchstick models and local history. Working clock mechanism 1816 by James Blair and two large bells on display.

Ayrshire

Kilwinning Old Parish Church

12-13 September 2020

Until recently known as Kilwinning Old Parish Church. Designed by John Swan and built in 1774. Located on the site of its 16th century predecessor which was located in the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey founded around 1188, so our history on this site goes back over 830 years. Simple T-plan with attractive Eglinton loft, supported on fluted Corinthian columns. Stained glass by W & J J Keir, Gordon Webster, Stephen Adam & Son, Abbey Studio, Sax Shaw and Paul Lucky, Forster and Andrews organ 1887, wall tapestry and Cole Hamilton screen.

Ayrshire

North Ayrshire Heritage Centre

12-13 September 2020

Former Ardrossan Parish Church built 1773 given major renovation. Fine mediaeval stone sarcophagus, portrait of Archibald, 13th Earl of Eglinton, a painting of Eglinton Castle, and a huge projector from the 1930s which was used at Barrfields in Largs, are amongst the varied exhibits.

Ayrshire

St Quivox Parish Church

12-13 September 2020

Category A-listed. The medieval building was restored in 1595 and extended to form a T-plan in 1767. Good pulpit and 18th century fittings, and the kirkyard contains the mausoleum of the Campbells of Craigie by W H Playfair, 1822.

Ayrshire

Troon St Meddan's Parish Church

12-13 September 2020

Built in Mauchline red sandstone in 1888, St Meddan's was designed by John Bennie Wilson in Gothic style. It has a prominent spire and bell tower, housing a clock dating from 1751, built by Andrew Dickie and originally from The University of Glasgow.

Search Filters

Keywords

Regions

Open Weekends

Area Coordinator

Michael Hitchon
Kyle and Carrick Civic Society

Email