Get Into Buildings This September

15th August 2010

Ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors? Every September, the national Doors Open Days offers free access to landmark buildings, private homes and usually private work spaces that the public never normally get a chance to see.

The Highland programme is co-ordinated by The Highland Council and Inverness City Heritage Trust. This year, over 35 sites open in the Highland Council area, ranging from ancient castles and stately homes to state-of-the-art facilities and nuclear bunkers.
Historic buildings opening their doors for the event include 16th century Ballone Castle near Portmahomack; Cromarty House, an imposing Georgian mansion built in 1772; and Inverness Town House, built in the Victorian Gothic style between 1878 and 1881 and housing a fine range of historic portraits, painting and busts.

Participants can also explore a range of historic churches in Inverness and across the area, from St John the Evangelists Church in Wick, built in 1868-70 and Cromarty East Church, a fine example of a post-reformation church that has been restored and conserved over three years by the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust, to Daviot Church, a landmark on the A9 with its distinctive cockerel weather vane.

Doors Open Days is also about showcasing the most interesting modern architecture. Special tours will be available at the Centre for Health Science, a multi-user facility located adjacent to Raigmore Hospital which incorporates state-of-the-art facilities and is one of the first of its kind in the UK and RNLI Kessock Station.

Opening in 2002, RNLI Kessock station houses facilities for repair and maintenance as well as lifeboat crew facilities. Modern, environmentally sustainable buildings also feature, such as the Glachbeg Croft Centre, North Kessock.

For something completely different: learn about the night sky at Highland Astronomical Society's JSL Observatory at Culloden; go behind the scenes at the Highland Print Studio or explore the Council's Emergency Centre - a top secret underground bunker built by the RAF during WWII.

Cllr Ian Ross, Chairman of the Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee said "We are very happy to support this annual event across the Highlands. As well as allowing visitors into some of the oldest buildings in the Highlands, we are pleased visitors will be able to see round some of the more exciting and innovative new buildings, potentially our historic buildings of the future. The event hopefully has something for everyone and is an excellent opportunity to get to see what really goes on in the buildings that you pass every day. We have a rich heritage of buildings in the Highlands and it is important the wider public has the opportunity to see and appreciate this. We would like to thank Inverness City Heritage Trust, our organising partners, and, of course, all the building owners and managers who have opened their doors and made this event possible."

The full Door Open Days programme is now available to download from the Council's website at www.highland.gov.uk, printed copies are available from Libraries and service points - or call 01463 718505 to request a programme.