A ruined Palladian mansion, a lost garden, the Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC) and the chance to learn more about local and family history at churches are some of the fascinating events on offer during this year’s Midlothian Doors Open Day.
A total of 28 venues have confirmed their participation in this year’s event on Saturday 13 September 2014.
On the day, buildings that are not usually open to the public or normally charge for entry will open their doors, free of charge, to visitors.
A highlight this year is Old Penicuik House where a six year project to consolidate the magnificent ruin has just been completed. Also within the grounds of Penicuik Estate is the Lost Garden, a community initiative to re-establish a former garden as a community garden. Visitors can learn about both the history of the garden and see the progress that has been made.
The Wildlife Information Centre is located in Vogrie Country Park and provides a fascinating insight into the wildlife of Midlothian. For those interested in local history, the Cousland Local History Project has organised a self-guided tour that starts at Cousland village hall and takes in village archaeological sites including Cousland Windmill, the Nunnery and Limeworks.
New to the programme this year are the Secret Herb Garden and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Secret Herb Garden near Damhead is open from 10am to 4pm and is hosting two special tours….A Herbal Safari (2pm) aimed at children and those who are young at heart and Marvelling at Moths (7.45pm). Both tours require prebooking, please email doorsopendays@midlothian.gov.uk for further information. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Dalkeith will have church records on display. Visitors can find out how to get started tracing their family history, with access to the Church’s large database of names while children can make their very own family tree.
The full 2014 Midlothian Doors Open Day programme is available on our website at www.midlothian.gov.uk/doorsopendays.
For further information on Midlothian Doors Open Day, telephone: 0131 271 3521 or e-mail: doorsopendays@midlothian.gov.uk
Doors Open Day is part of European Heritage Days. Doors Open Day activities in Midlothian are organised by the council and the project is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust with support from Archaeology Scotland and Historic Scotland. For more information please visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk
This year’s Doors Open Days campaign, ‘Scotland through the Keyhole’ is a part of Homecoming Scotland 2014.
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