Hundreds of places all over Scotland which are not normally exposed to the public gaze will be letting people see what goes on behind the scenes as part of Doors Open Days 2023.
Visitors are being invited to uncover hidden gems and experience familiar places through fresh eyes. Doors Open Days began in 1990, with 44 events in Glasgow and Ayr. But in the past 33 years the event has expanded to reach all 32 council regions of Scotland with visitors enjoying access to nearly 1,000 events, coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust.
The Doors Open Days events take place on different days in different parts of the country – Midlothian and West Lothian have theirs this weekend, September 9-10; Edinburgh and East Lothian are on September 23-24. All Doors Open Days events and activities are free.
Here is a first look at some of the Edinburgh buildings which will be opening their doors to the public.
17. The Dower House, Corstorphine
The Dower House, in St Margaret's Park, Corstophine High Street, is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Edinburgh, with a history traced back to 1587. It was derelict when the Corstorphine Trust was given use of it in 1991, but with funding from Historic Scotland, The Lottery Fund and generous bequests, the trust managed to bring the building back to life and it now has a central place in the community. The archive room on the top floor contains a wealth of photographs, slides, documents and maps covering life in the village of Corstorphine over many years. Open: Saturday, September 23, 10am-4pm. Photo: Poppy Berry