More than 100 venues will throw their doors open to the public this weekend, September 26 and 27, as part of Scotland’s biggest heritage festival.
Doors Open takes place every year, offering people free access to buildings, unique experiences and a new perspective on the spaces that help shape Edinburgh.
Churches, historic buildings, museums, galleries, businesses and modern homes welcome visitors for a look behind the scenes.
This year’s theme, Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine, invites participating venues and visitors to explore how Edinburgh’s built heritage is being protected, adapted for new uses, and reimagined for the future.
We’ve already featured some of the buildings in the Capital which will be opening their doors to the public:
Scroll through the 23 buildings featured here and decide which ones you want to visit.
And look out for more to come.
21. Old Assembly Hall, Leith
The first assembly hall on the Old Assembly Hall site was built in the 1780s and was open to subscribers for regular evenings of dancing and entertainment; the rest of the time it was open to the public as a tavern, run by local Leith innkeeper George Gibb. What is now Old Assembly Hall was the main assembly hall of this building. Today it is is home to Simpson & Brown; a firm of architects, heritage consultants, and archaeologists, who will be showcasing some of their projects. Address: 37 Constitution Street, EH6 7BG. Open: Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, 10am-5pm. | Google
22. Scottish Whisky Experience
Housed in what was once Castlehill School, this attraction tells story of Scotch whisky. For Doors Open Day it is offering a guided Silver Whisky Tour followed by a look behind the scenes before public opening. Pre-Bbooking Is essential via Eventbrite. Address: 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2NE. Tour: Sunday, September, 9-10.30am | Google
23. Scottish Genealogy Society
Founded in 1953, the society moved to its current base in 1991. The internal walls of the property are from two phases of building: vaulted arches dating from c.1830-1840 and the cellars of tenements on Johnston Terrace in 1868-9. Over time it has been used as an ARP centre during WWII and then occupied by a confectionery manufacturer, a scientific equipment supplier, a pottery & printmaking studio, and a restaurant. For Doors Open Days there will be information about how to research Scottish family history as well as ad-hoc tours of the library. Address: 15 Victoria Terrace, EH1 2JL. Open: Saturday, September 26, 10am-4pm. | Scottish Civic Trust