Friday August 16th 2024
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Mavisbank House, recently ‘saved’ thanks to a £5 million funding award, and an 18th century working smiddy are among 22 Midlothian venues taking part in this year’s Doors Open Days on Saturday 14 September.
2024 marks the 35th year of Doors Open Days in Scotland, with Midlothian coming onboard in 1996.
The festival aims to ensure that Scotland’s built and cultural heritage is made accessible to everyone living in and visiting the country.
Across Midlothian doors will be opened wide, welcoming visitors to uncover hidden gems and experience familiar places through fresh eyes. Last year, more than 1,300 people came along to the Midlothian event.
As well as Mavisbank, other buildings taking part include The National Mining Museum Scotland and Cousland Smiddy, an early 18th century blacksmith’s workshop and Victorian cottage.
In May the Landmark Trust, a charity that rescues at-risk buildings, secured £5.3m from the National Heritage Memorial Fund to secure Mavisbank House near Bonnyrigg.
Built by celebrated Scottish architect William Adam in 1723 and the first Palladian villa in Scotland, it was badly damaged by fire in the 1970s.
Midlothian Council Provost Debbi McCall said: “We’re always delighted to support Doors Open Days. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore Midlothian’s heritage and tour buildings, many of which are not always open to the public.
“There’s lots on offer this year, including guided tours of the landscape, plants and flowers surrounding the National Museum of Scotland’s Lady Victoria site with ecologist Matt Harding from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland.
“So please, have a look at the programme as many of the events are booked up quickly.”
Some buildings are so popular with the public they take part every year, including the 18th century working smiddy at Cousland.
Sheena Irving from Cousland Smiddy, which has been taking part since the outset, says: “It’s our busiest day of the year – we get around 150 people through the door, many of them return visitors who love coming to see the farrier working, enjoy a lunch of homemade soup and have a look round the Victorian cottage and other historic buildings.”
Sheena Irving is pictured on left with Sheena Devlin, Midlothian Council’s Senior Technical Clerk who organises Midlothian’s Doors Open Day event on the right.
About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates Scotland’s places, history and culture, new and old. Each September, the festival offers access to hundreds of sites and events across Scotland. The aim of Doors Open Days is to ensure that Scotland’s built and cultural heritage is made accessible to people living in and visiting the country. Doors Open Days is supported by Historic Environment Scotland, and is part of European Heritage Days.
More information about Doors Open Days HERE.
Midlothian’s Senior Technical Clerk Sheena Devlin has been helping unlock doors of buildings not normally open to the public for 21 years.
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