Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment. It offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country throughout September, every year.
Information about the national programme, including event listings, can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.
Kirk of Calder - 9th & 10th September
A church has believed to have existed on the present site since around 1150 and formally consecrated in 1241. The oldest part of the present Church was built on the original site in 1542 and the west extension added in 1863. The oldest gravestone in the churchyard is dated 1636, and the organ is by James Conacher 1888. The church is Category A Listed and the restoration won the West Lothian Award for Conservation in 1992. The stained glass windows were restored in 1995. Previous famous visitors have included John Knox, James ‘Paraffin’ Young, David Livingstone and Frederic Chopin.
Linlithgow Canal Centre - 9th & 10th September
This is an opportunity to visit the Canal Museum, tearoom, yard and wharf, also the workshop of the Linlithgow Union Canal Society and the Mel Gray Education Centre. Built c. 1820s (probably Hugh Baird, Canal Engineer), a visit to the Canal Centre as a whole (Category C Listed) recalls the heyday of the Union waterway (Edinburgh-Falkirk), not yet challenged by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway (1842). The Canal Centre is a simple vernacular building, originally two stables to the east end and two cottages at west end, and is an important surviving part of the infrastructure of Scotland's last major canal. The Museum is recognised by Scottish Government and remains Scotland's only specific canal museum.
Sight Scotland Veterens - Linburn Activity Hub - 9th September
Our team provides information and support that helps veterans affected with sight loss stay connected to the things that matter to them and to thrive. We offer expert advice and practical help to empower ex-service personnel affected by changes to their sight to regain confidence, restore independence and make new connections.
Our activity hubs provide an opportunity for veterans to make social connections with their fellow service peer group and participate in activities. The veterans have the opportunity to learn new skills and engage in a range of activities to enhance their wellbeing including archery, acoustic shooting, bowling, VR and IT sessions, cooking groups, indoor curling, arts and crafts sessions, cardio drumming, using the gym, exercise classes, quizzes, discussion groups, etc.
The venue comprises of 2 buildings, purpose built for individuals who have sight loss. It is all on one level set in the grounds of the Linburn estate in Wilkieston, providing a safe and tranquil environment.
For Doors Open Days there will be guided tours around both buildings to allow visitors to see the range of activities that the veterans engage with. Using sim specs which simulate eye conditions, attendees will be able to engage in a short art or daily living project to get a sense of how a person with this condition carries out these tasks.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
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