Iconic buildings old and new are planning to throw open their doors as part of this year’s Doors Open Day in East Dunbartonshire.
The event, which takes place on Saturday 9 September, allows free access to lots of venues as well as sites of historic, cultural, archaeological and community interest, which are not usually open to the public.
New this year is the fabulous Deafblind Scotland Learning and Development Centre, near Kirkintilloch, which will be conducting tours throughout the day. Take a green screen selfie in the recording studio, use specialised printing equipment to create your name in tactile written language and be led round an exhibition of tactile art by the deafblind artist who produced the work. There is also a tactile path which you can negotiate whilst wearing simulation glasses to experience what it is like for people with sight conditions.
Enjoy an exclusive peek behind the scenes of the gallery store of the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie. Established in 1962, the gallery is home to a collection around 450 works of Scottish art from the 1880s to the present day.
You can also take a guided walk around the graves of Auld Aisle Cemetery and learn about the lives of Beatrice Clugston and Tom Johnston. Led by the Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries, the guided walk will take two hours.
Jim Neill, Chair of EDLC Trust, said, "Doors Open Day is a chance for people to find out more about buildings that we notice every day, but don’t necessarily know much about. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to be a tourist in their own town.
“All events remain free of charge, but some require a booking due to limited numbers so make sure you don’t miss out.”
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Our communities are steeped in history from the ancient Romans to the more recent expansion of the canals and industrial revolution and the rich social histories associated with those periods.
Among the venues taking part this year is the Fort Theatre in Bishopbriggs, home to the Antonine Theatre Group and whose boards have been trod by entertainers such as Billy Connolly and Peter Capaldi. Just keep your eyes peeled for the resident ghost which is said to roam the upper floor of the building. The building dates back to the 1700s and was originally a barn for Brackenbrae farm.
A host of historical churches, including Cadder Parish Church, Baldernock Parish Church and New Kilpatrick Church, Bearsden, will also be welcoming visitors throughout the day.
No journey through the area’s history would be complete without a mention of Kirkintilloch’s famous Lion Foundry, birthplace of the iconic red telephone boxes. Take the opportunity to have a peek behind the scenes of the Foundry Collection store at Donaldson Crescent, Kirkintilloch. You can get access as part of a guided walk which leaves from Auld Kirk Museum. Booking is essential due to limited numbers.
East Dunbartonshire Doors Open day is part of a family of Doors Open Days events taking place across Scotland throughout September. It is coordinated nationally but the Scottish Civic Trust. EDLC Trust coordinates the East Dunbartonshire programme.
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest, free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old and runs throughout September. It is supported by Historic Environment Scotland.
For events bookable through Eventbrite visit the Eventbite Website and search for the event you are interested in.
You can find the full programme on the EDLC website
For any queries, please contact archives@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0141 777 3142.
