From mountain to sea Aberdeenshire DoorsOpenDays2019 Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September DOORS OPEN DAYS 2019 YEARS Doors Open Days is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust. It runs throughout Scotland every September as part of European Heritage Days. For more information see our websites www.doorsopendays.org.uk www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk www.doorsopendays.org.uk Welcome to Doors Open Days Aberdeenshire 2019 This year’s event will be held over two days, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2019, allowing visitors the best opportunity to visit a wide range of properties across Aberdeenshire. We have an exciting and varied programme with more than 60 properties taking part, several for the first time. There will also be tours, exhibitions and refreshments at many of the venues, hosted by Doors Open Day volunteers. Come along and join us in celebrating Aberdeenshire’s rich architectural history! Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free annual architectural event. It is co-ordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust and is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union alongside Scottish Archaeology Month. Both events are supported by Historic Environment Scotland. This year’s Aberdeenshire event has been organised by Aberdeenshire Council’s Environment Team, co-ordinated by Clare Tierney, assisted by Yvonne Clark, Cheryl Roberts, Alison Simpson and Frances Swanston. Our gratitude and thanks go to all those who have generously agreed to open their buildings to make this event possible and to the volunteers who have given up their valuable time. Opening times Please note that not all properties are open on both days. Please check the opening times of the properties you wish to visit before you travel. Openings may also be subject to unavoidable last minute changes. For the most up to date information on the buildings taking part, please check the event’s national website http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/ or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ AberdeenshireArchitectureHeritageDesign/ Please note that Tod Head lighthouse, Leith Hall, The National Decommissioning Centre, The Old Manse, Aden Recording Studio and the Museums Discovery Centre, Potarch Myths and Legends Walking Tour should be booked in advance. Please see individual brochure entries for full details. Many of the open properties are offering additional activities for visitors, be sure to look out for these. With so many buildings to visit across Aberdeenshire on Doors Open weekend, there’s something for everyone – what better excuse to explore the region! Aberdeen City Doors Open Day Saturday 7th September for full aberdeen programme or any other regional programme and dates please see www.doorsopendays.org.uk Doors Open Day 2019 Events Guide 5 2-4 9-12 7-8 13-15 6 1 1 2 3-5 2-3 6 1 2 4 7 3 5 1 4 3 2 1 5 11 12 14-15 13 4-7 9 10 8 11 12-13 4-10 3 2 14 1 4 KEY Disabled Access Disabled toilet Disabled Parking Toilets Parking Refreshments Display/Attraction Please note that visitors entering buildings do so at their own risk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. None of the participating buildings or organisations are responsible for any accidents or damage that might be incurred. The owners/custodians of the buildings retain the right to refuse access. Our gratitude and thanks go to all those who have generously agreed to open their buildings to make this event possible and to the volunteers who have given up their time. 5 KINCARDINE & MEARNS 1 St Cyrus National Nature Reserve 2 Kinneff Old Church The Old Lifeboat Station, Kinneff, Kincardineshire, DD10 0TJ Montrose, DD10 0AQ From Montrose, head 5 miles north on the A92 coastal road. St Cyrus NNR is signposted on the right, immediately before the Northwater Bridge over the Esk. Follow the single track road for 1.5 Opening Times: miles to the car park and visitor centre. Saturday 14th 10am-4pm Sunday 15th 10am-4pm In 1652 when Cromwell was laying siege to Opening Times: Dunnottar Castle, the Minister and his wife Saturday 14th 10am-5pm managed to smuggle the Crown Jewels of Scotland out of the castle and buried them Sunday 15th 10am-5pm in Kinneff Church. Come along for a visit St Cyrus National Nature Reserve (NNR) is where members of the church will be able one of the most picturesque sections of to enlighten you further on the story of the coastline in north-east Scotland. It includes Crown Jewels and their time at Kinneff. the magnificent sandy sweep of Montrose Bay, towering volcanic cliffs, yellow dunes and a spectacular wildflower meadow. Come along and meet Ranger Therese and explore the reserve. 6 3 Tod Head Lighthouse 4 St James the Great, Stonehaven Kinneff, DD10 0TH Arbuthnott Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2JB Turn east at roadside of Kinneff for approx. 500m, turn right at the school, then first left, at the next junction turn right then immediate left, follow the track for approx. 1k to the light house. Opening Times: Saturday 14th 10am - 5pm Sunday 15th Services at 9am & 10:30am Opening Times: (to which all are welcome) after which the church will Saturday 14th Sunday 15th Closed remain open until 5pm. By pre-booked tour only: This Category A listed church is built in the 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, Norman style, passing into early English 2:15pm, 3:15pm of the 11th century. It contains several To book please call: 01467 535152 interesting features, including many stained- The lighthouse is now decommissioned and glass windows, a pulpit of Caen stone and in use as a private residence. Designed by a carved reredos in memory of Anne, the David A. Stevenson, visitors will have access Honourable Mrs Alexander Baird of Urie to the top of the tower and outside gallery House. - stand on the glass floor in the former lamp New this year are two permanent room if you dare! Children must be accom- exhibitions detailing the fascinating history panied by an adult at all times. Visits must of the Episcopal Church in Stonehaven, as be booked in advance and places are limited well as details of the historic Wadsworth due to the size of the property and limited organ, built by John Wardle in 1881. Also on parking. display is the 1737 Bible owned at one point by the cousin of the bard, Robert Burns. 7 5 Marine Scotland Science 6 Tolbooth Museum Courtyard of the Tolbooth Museum, Old Pier, Old Pier, Stonehaven Harbour, AB39 2JU Stonehaven Harbour, AB39 2JU (some uneven flooring) Public within Public within 100 metres 100 metres Opening Times: Opening Times: Saturday 14th 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 14th 10am - 4pm Sunday 15th 10am - 4:30pm Sunday 15th Closed The Tolbooth is the oldest building in Marine Scotland Science will be hosting Stonehaven, dating from the late 16th an exhibit within the courtyard of the Century. The original use of the stone Tolbooth Museum to highlight some of building was that of courthouse and prison. the scientific work conducted in the waters Today the ground floor contains a museum off Stonehaven’s coastline, including that showcases the building’s turbulent past Marine Mammal research and the work and Stonehaven’s rich history. Visitors can of the Scottish Coastal Observatory examine the model of the Earth’s earliest which monitors changes in the marine known air breathing animal found at nearby environment. Highly recommended for all Cowie, reminisce over past domestic life, ages, the exhibit will provide an opportunity view old photographs of the town or study to meet scientists undertaking work in a the local geology. You can also study the variety of marine topics such as fisheries, plans for the extension to the building renewable energy, marine litter and which includes a larger museum space and a aquaculture. glass encased café. Please note - the 1st floor contains the Tolbooth Restaurant which is not part of the Open Doors Days 8 7 Clock Tower 8 RNLI Stonehaven The Cross, Stonehaven Harbour, AB39 2JT Old Pier, The Harbour, Stonehaven, AB39 2JU Opening Times: Opening Times: Saturday 14th 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 14th 10am - 4pm Sunday 15th 10am - 4:30pm Sunday 15th Closed The costs of the original 1790 build were met by the town’s Common Good Fund Access will be given to the cabin which and the sole purpose of the building was to houses the station crew shed. You will contain the Town Clock. In 1894 the tower also get to view the kit, crew room and the was heightened, and the clock raised to its lifeboat crew will be on hand to tell you present position at the top of the square all about what they do. There will be the sandstone tower. Above the doorway is opportunity to visit the boat shed and see a large barometer, dated 1852, which was where the lifeboats are kept, in a building of immense benefit to the local fishing that is as old as the harbour itself. industry. The Clock Tower was also the site *Please note that the crew will be on call that day of one of the town’s public water supplies in and so may need to attend emergencies. the 19th century. The Tower was refurbished in 2015, (which gained the annual Conservation Award from the Aberdeen Society of Architects) and has now been re- opened as a tourist attraction. Please note that the Clock Tower will not be staffed on Doors Open Days 9 9 Mearns FM 10 Stonehaven Community Fire Stonehaven Town Hall, Allardice Street, Station, Scottish Fire and Rescue Stonehaven, AB39 2BU Service On street and Mill of Forest Lane, Stonehaven, AB39 2LN Market Square Opening Times: Opening Times: Saturday 14th 10am - 4pm Saturday 14th 12noon - 4pm Sunday 15th Closed Sunday 15th 12noon - 4pm Learn about the role of a firefighter, see Mearns FM is a community radio station and the fire engines and equipment and meet a registered charity operated entirely by and talk to the crew.