It’s September, so it must be time for Doors Open Days.
The annual event, billed as Scotland’s largest free festival celebrating architecture, culture, and heritage, invites visitors to uncover hidden gems and experience familiar places through fresh eyes.
Doors Open Days are held on different days in different places throughout September. Midlothian will see people exploring buildings behind the scenes next weekend, September 12 and 13. Buildings in West Lothian will be opening their doors on September 19 and 20.
And Edinburgh and East Lothian get their turn at the end of the month, September 26 and 27.
Scroll through the 16 buildings in Midlothian which will be welcoming people next weekend and see which ones you want to visit.
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9. National Mining Museum
This five-star attraction at the former Lady Victoria colliery, Newtongrange, is offering guided tours of its research library to explore some of the incredible books, maps, and photographs in the collections. Tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Address: Lady Victoria Colliery (A7, Newtongrange), Newtongrange, EH22 4QN. Open: Saturday, September 12, 11am-3pm. | Scottish Civic Trust
10. Newbattle Masonic Lodge
Originally a Free Church of Scotland built in the late 19th century, the building became a venue for Freemasons in the mid 20th century. The manager of Lady Victoria colliery was the first Master and the founding members were from the local mining community. Members of the Lodge will be available to answer questions. Address: 26 Newbattle Road, Newtongrange, EH22 4RN Open: Saturday, September 12, 11am-4pm | Google
11. Penicuik Papermaking Museum
This small museum explores Penicuik’s unique heritage as one of the most important centres of papermaking in the world. Visitors can tour the museum, try their hand at making paper and visit Pen-y-Coe Press to learn about printing. Address: 1 Bridge Street, Penicuik, EH26 8LL. Open: Saturday, September 12, 10am-4pm. | Scottish Civic Trust
12. Soutra Aisle
Soutra Aisle, dated 1686, is a family burial vault, constructed when the Scottish church banned monuments inside churches. At 1200 ft altitude, this was the highest monastery in the British Isles. The Aisle marks the site of the largest and best endowed hospital in medieval Scotland which has been the focus of a unique archaeo-medical investigation since 1986. There will be a talk the medieval Augustinian Hospital that once stood on the site. Address: 8 miles South of Dalkeith, off A68/A7 on B6368, EH37 5TF (nearest postcode: site has tourist sign). Open: Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, 10.30am-4pm. | Scottish Civic Trust