More than 40 ancient and modern venues in Aberdeen are preparing to welcome visitors as part of Scotland’s largest free heritage festival.
For a weekend in September, locals and tourists will have the chance to peak inside some of Aberdeen’s most interesting buildings.
A number of properties, some of which have rarely been open to the public, will be on full display for Doors Open Day.
On September 2 and 3, buildings such as Crown Street’s mysterious Masonic Temple, Aberdeen University’s Zoology Building and Bon Accord Baths will be on display.
The heritage festival has been running in Aberdeen for 17 years.
Discovering history on the doorstep
This year’s theme for the festival is called Living Heritage. It will explore the link to the stories and people over time from one generation to the next.
Volunteer regional co-ordinator for the festival in Aberdeen, Seonaidh Baker, said it was a great free weekend for the whole family to enjoy.
She said: “Some of the venues cannot be open to the public normally and on this festival they open up so the public get a chance to see.
“A prime example is the Masonic Temple on Crown Street which isn’t usually open.
“It’s a great way to spend time with the family because it’s free.
“It’s just about getting people back out into the city and discovering history on their doorstep that they might not have known about before and being tourists in their own city.
“We’ve got 40 venues participating which will get people out and get them interested in what literally is on their doorstep and discovering new things.”
There will be a special talk on crime and punishment in Aberdeen from the 1500s to the 1700s on the Saturday from Dr Chris Croly.
This will be held between 12.30pm and 1.30pm in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at Aberdeen University.
Guided tours of Central Community Fire Station will also be offered on the Saturday.
Emergency responders such as police, fire, ambulance, RNLI and British Marine Life Rescue will be on site – along with stalls selling various goods – for visitors to ask questions and learn more about what they do.
The buildings open
- Aberdeen International School
- Trinity Hall
- Bon Accord Baths
- Aberdeen Saints Croquet Club at Westburn Park
- Camphill School
- Institute of Medical Science (IMS)
- Zoology Building
- Sir Duncan Rice Library
- The Anatomy Rooms
- St Marys Chapel (St Nicholas Church)
- Aberdeen Crematorium
- St Andrews Cathedral
- Aberdeen Archives (Old Aberdeen House)
- St James Church Holburn Street
- Peacock and the Worm
- Freemasons Hall
- The Rowett Institute
- Maggies Centre
- Kings College
- Cruickshank Botanical Gardens
- St Machar Cathedral
- Masjid Alhikmah and Community Centre
- Albyn School
- St John the Evangelist Scottish Episcopal Church
- Donside Hydro (ACE)
- Aberdeen Trades Union Council
- Devana Parish Church of Scotland Fonthill
- The Salvation Army
- St Margarets School
- Aberdeen Bridge Club
- The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-Day Saints
- Quaker Meeting House
- Ferryhill Railway Trust
- Gilcomston Church
- Aberdeen Cyrenians
- Scottish Fire and Rescue – Central Community Fire Station
- James Hutton Institute
- Robert Gordons College
- WASPS Open Studio
- Confucius Institute
- Aberdeen Central Library
- Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society
- Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre
Doors Open Day takes place in Aberdeen on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday September 3. To book tickets for the talk on Crime and Punishment, email seonaidh_martin@hotmail.com
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