Published on:
20
August 2012
Clackmannanshire will be joining the rest of Scotland by taking part in Doors Open Days in September, part of the Council of Europe European Heritage Days.
People can visit free of charge places of cultural and historic interest which are not normally open to the public.
Councillor Donald Balsillie, Convenor the Enterprise and Environment Committee, said: "The event aims to showcase the county and at the same time encourage everyone to appreciate and help to preserve their built heritage."
Doors Open Days is promoted nationally by The Scottish Civic Trust with part sponsorship from Historic Scotland.
This year we are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and a special exhibition The Diamond Jubilee 2012: The Queen and Clackmannanshire will be on display in Devonvale Hall over our Doors Open Days weekend, which is on 1st and 2nd September.
Dollar Museum is showing its own exhibition, which focuses on Coronation Day, 2nd June 1953 and the Queen's visit to Dollar on 28th June 1963, while Clackmannan Church has the only stained glass window specifically installed to mark the Coronation.
Resonate Arts House will be taking part for the first time and will complement the studios of glass designer and maker Elin Isaksson and Retroglass.
After a very popular first year, Alloa Sheriff Court, Burnfoot Hill Wind Farm, Dollar Academy and HMP Glenochil are all taking part again.
Churches in Alloa and Dollar will be throwing their doors open again and offering guided tours of their rich interiors. The old kirkyards of Alloa and Alva, with their remarkable mausolea for the Erskine and Johnstone families, will also be open for guided tours.
Gean House, Glenmore House, Greenfield and Inglewood all provide an interesting glimpse into the domestic lives of some of Alloa's Victorian entrepreneurs.
Perennial favourites such as Clackmannan Tower, Hilton Farm, where many Erskine family portraits can be seen, and Sauchie Tower will be open again and will offer fascinating guided tours.
Councillor Balsillie added :"September is also Scottish Archaeology Month, when people can discover some of Clackmannanshire's amazing archaeological heritage through a range of activities such as excavation open days, guided tours, lectures and workshops. I would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of these events."
In Clackmannanshire there will be two events. The Ochils Landscape Partnership and the National Trust for Scotland Dig Dollar Glen event takes place between 15th and 23rd September, when participants will be able to have a go at excavation, drawing, photography and surveying. Volunteers are welcome to help for some or all of the week and should
book in advance by contacting Kirsty McAlister (kmcalister@clacks.gov.uk or tel: 01259 452675) or Liz Jones (ejones@nts.org.uk).
The Friends of Sauchie Tower event takes place on Sunday 23rd September when people will get the chance to take part in Exploring Archaeological Landscapes: Alloa Tower to Sauchie Tower- and back.
The walk will explore the environs of the medieval towers of Alloa and Sauchie to consider how they evolved and to see what evidence has survived for the rest of their lands. This event takes place between 11.30am and 3.30pm.
For more information about the programme and to book places on the tours where pre-booking is required and for the Scottish Archaeology Month Exploring Archaeological Landscapes walk please contact: 01259 450000 or customerservice@clacks.gov.uk. Information is also available on ClacksWeb or on www.doorsopendays.org.uk