Doors Open Days Stirling
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Stirling! This year's event will be held on September.
About Doors Open Days Stirling
Welcome back to Stirling's Doors Open Days - the longest-running festival celebrating Stirling's heritage in the area!
In 2024 Stirling, like Edinburgh, is 900 years old. Stirling’s Doors Open Days is part of the Stirling 900 celebrations. A wide variety of traditional and modern buildings are opening their doors to the public for this year's festival in September, for free!
Programme Highlights:
Allan’s Primary School Bastion
new
22 September 2024
This beehive bastion on the Old Town Wall, behind Allan’s Primary School, dates from the 1500’s. It was converted from a gunpowder store into a Doocot in the 1700’s and was renovated in 2003. The Old Town Wall is constructed directly onto the rock which, in many places, is only just below the ground surface. Three gun loops are visible from the south side of the wall.
Bannockburns House Tours
22 September 2024
The Category A-listed Bannockburn House has survived relatively unchanged since the 1600s. Empty for over 50 years, the house and gardens were bought by the local community in December 2017, with help from public donations and grants from organisations including Stirling Council and the Scottish Land Fund. Dedicated volunteers are breathing new life into the house and grounds to create a community hub, providing a range of activities and resources to benefit future generations.
Camphill Blair Drummond House
21 September 2024
Camphill Blair Drummond is a rural community situated six miles from the historic city of Stirling, Scotland. We offer a home, meaningful activities and opportunities for personal development to adults with learning disabilities and other special needs. In all some 200 people live and work within Camphill Blair Drummond.
CCDT Gillies Hill Community Woodland and Walled Garden
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
Polmaise Castle and estate were built by the Architect William Burn in 1863, the house was demolished 14th July 1966. The estate’s walled garden in the community woodland remains and is being restored. Visit and learn about the garden and the many other features of interest in the community woodland and remnants of this old country estate.
Central Library
22 September 2024
Central Library is taking part in Stirling’s Doors Open Day, pre-book a special tour round the building, including the areas not usually seen by the public.
Church of the Holy Rude
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
One of the most important and historic buildings in Stirling and beyond. Surrounded by four of the Top of the Town graveyards, the Category A Listed Church of the Holy Rude dates from at least the 1400s and is the second oldest building in Stirling. A mighty place of worship for over 600 years, it is where King James VI was crowned. The building retains visible musket shot-holes on its tower wall from when Stirling Castle was under siege in 1651.
Cowane’s Hospital
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
Cowane’s Hospital Trust was established in 1637 and is Scotland’s second oldest surviving charitable trust. The Category A Listed Building Cowane’s Hospital, set within stunning gardens at the Top of the Town, was founded by John Cowane for poor members of the local Merchant Guild. Originally two storeys inside it was altered in 1852 to form a Guild Hall with a viewing gallery, minstrel’s gallery and elongated windows throughout.
Creative Dunblane
new
21 September 2024
The Burgh Chambers is in the Cathedral quarter in Dunblane. Built in 1900 it housed the Town Council and then Stirling Council local services until 2020. It was the scene of a daring escape in the 1959 film version of the 39 Steps. Dunblane Digital Makerspace and a planned co-working space are available for the community.
Dementia Services Development Centre
new
21 September 2024
Formed in 1989, our centre is dedicated to: improving the lives of people living with dementia; making communities dementia-friendly; and influencing policy to improve services. Join us on a guided tour of the internationally renowned Dementia Design & Technology Suite.
Gargunnock Kirk
22 September 2024
22 September 2024
Gargunnock Kirk is Category B Listed and dates from 1628. The picturesque T-plan building, with three sets of external stairs leading to separate Lairds lofts. It sits at the historic heart of the village of Gargunnock, where there has been a church in one form or another for over 500 years. The kirk was altered in 1774 and has had a number of internal refurbishments since. It contains a Robert Lorimer war memorial and pulpit and has two good 20thcentury stained glass windows which are attributed to William Wilson and Douglas Hamilton. The church is set within its graveyard.
History of the University of Stirling historic campus and archives walking tour
new
21 September 2024
The University of Stirling opened on 18th September 1967. Situated on the historic Airthrey Estate, the university welcomed 195 students. A short historical walking tour by University Archivist, Karl Magee, about the history of the University of Stirling, its place in the wider story of Stirling, and the documents which trace its growth and development.
Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
This Category 'A' Building by Robert Rowand Anderson was completed in 1878, with later interior work by Robert Stodard Lorimer. Features include high-quality 19th/20th-century stained glass windows, Memorial Chapel and military memorials. It has been well maintained and remains home to a vibrant Christian community.
Kings, Wolves and Drones: 20 Years of Care & Repair at Stirling City Heritage
new
17 September 2024
Join Stirling City Heritage Trust and The Stirling Smith to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Trust. Established in 2003, we’ll look back over the last two decades at our most interesting and important projects, explore our partnership work, share current developments and our exciting future as a charity.
Kippen Parish Church
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
Situated in the picturesque village of Kippen is the Category B Listed Kippen Parish Church. A church in Kippen was first mentioned in public records in the 1300s, the existing church dates from 1825 and was enlarged in 1928. These works resulted in a beautiful sanctuary which reflected some of the ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement and it is thought that much is owed to the input of knowledge, taste and contacts of the prominent Scottish artist, Sir David Young Cameron, who lived in the parish for 46 years. This is a well-loved church building which contains a stunning wealth of arts and craftsmanship within it and it is definitely well worth the trip to Kippen to see.
Kippen Smiddy
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
The Smiddy was owned by the Rennie family for over 200 years. It retains many of the original blacksmiths tools and features, such as a double hearth for making cartwheel rims. It is now cared for by Kippen Heritage and the National Trust.
Lecropt Kirk, Bridge of Allan
22 September 2024
A familiar landmark to many, the stunning Category A Listed Lecropt Parish Church has overlooked the Carse since the early 1800s. Behind its unique façade, the interior boasts an arched and ribbed ceiling, plaster groin vaults and some of the most interesting windows within the Stirling area. The church contains the Keir loft and Stirling vault. William Stirling was the architect of the church.
Leighton Library
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
Leighton Library has reopened this year after a 2 year restoration costing £400k+. Built in 1687 to house the books of Bishop Leighton for the clergy of Dunblane, it later became a subscription library. After closing in the mid-19th century, volunteers opened it as a visitor attraction in 1990. Visitors can ‘handle history’.
Mugdock Castle
new
22 September 2024
Situated within the scenic Mugdock Country Park, close to Mugdock Loch, Mugdock Castle is a Scheduled Monument dating from the 1300’s. The castle retains one of its four original four-storey towers. Once inside the Castle, learn about its long and interesting history and, from the parapet walk, enjoy the views over the historic Mugdock Country Park and beyond.
St Blane’s Church, Dunblane
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
St Blane’s Church is Category B Listed and dates from 1853-54. This small parish church is at the heart of Dunblane. St Blane’s is a multi-purpose building which has a warm welcoming atmosphere with attractive windows and an up to date audio visual set up.
St Ninians Old Parish Church
new
21 September 2024
This area has had a long ecclesiastical history, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. During the 1745 Rebellion, the Jacobite army stored gunpowder in the former church building, which was attached to the steeple, which exploded in 1746 and destroyed most of the building. The current church building was erected in 1751 after the former building was blown up in 1746.
Stirling Council Archives at the Central Library
new
22 September 2024
Stirling Council Archives will have a display featuring gems from collections which highlight the last 900 years of Stirling’s history, along with the usual presence of qualified archivists who will be happy to answer any questions relating to beginning or continuing any local or family history research, including the history of your house and of other buildings.
Stirling Islamic Centre
22 September 2024
The Stirling Islamic Centre meets the spiritual needs of the Muslim community and offers a diverse range of services to the local community. We have an open-door policy, so people from all walks of life can visit the centre, take advantage of its many services, enjoy some quiet time in this immensely spiritual environment and perhaps even volunteer.
Stirling Old High School Observatory
20 September 2024
22 September 2024
This impressive building used to be used as Stirling High School, it was converted into an hotel in 1990. View the night sky through the 133 year old Newtonian reflecting telescope within the copper-domed Observatory at the Category A Listed Stirling Highland Hotel courtesy of Stirling Astronomical Society members.
Stirling Old Town Jail – Behind the Bars Tour
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
Stirling Sheriff Court
21 September 2024
The Category B Listed Sheriff Court was designed by Thomas Brown in 1864 and modified by Wardrop and Reid in 1874-76. Court Room One contains an impressive hammer-beam roof, original seating and hooded canopy above the judge’s bench.
The Bank, Dunblane
new
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
The Bank is a community development project of an old bank building into a multi-functional arts, tourism and hospitality venue. Come along to see how the team managed the project, with a particular focus on what the team have done to green the building and how we are linking in with the community.
The Engine Shed
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
The Engine Shed is Scotland’s building conservation centre. Built sometime between 1896 and 1913, the exact details of its construction were subject to an information blackout, and are still unknown. Originally a goods transfer shed, it was part of an important military complex and was a key resource for the army in the run up to and during both World Wars.
The Tolbooth
new
21 September 2024
This Category A Listed building dates from the early 1700s and is an exceptionally good example of a burgh tolbooth. It has been a municipal centre, courthouse, jail, workhouse and army recruitment centre. Although converted 200 years after its construction, it retains substantial 18th and 19th century interior decoration. It is now a thriving arts and music venue.
University of Stirling Art Collection at the Pathfoot Building
21 September 2024
A Category A listed, modernist masterpiece within the University of Stirling and home to many cultural treasures. Barbara Hepworth, Ken Currie and James Morrison all feature in the Human Experience exhibition within the University Art Collection. Experience printing fun on the a 19th Century ‘Pathfoot Press’ or join the curator’s tour at 12pm.
War Graves Tour at Mars Wark Cemetery
21 September 2024
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cares for 48 war graves of service personnel who had served and died during either the First or Second World War. The CWGC also care for Canadian, and Australian casualties in this cemetery.
Well House Tours
21 September 2024
22 September 2024
In 2016, caver, Mark Stanford, found the Well House shaft whilst exploring copper mines. Mark and a small band of enthusiastic volunteers have since been restoring it. The Well House is the earliest surviving building associated with the Bridge of Allan spa town. Take a tour, look down the 35m mine shaft, see mining artefacts & speak to ex-miners.
Well House Walks of the Eco Museum Airthrey Copper Mine trail
new
Dr Catherine Mills, Stirling University Eco Museum of Scottish Mining Landscapes, will be launching the Airthrey Copper Mine Eco Museum trail.
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