Doors Open Days

An annual nation-wide festival which offers free access to over a thousand venues across Scotland, the festival aims to ensure that the country’s spaces and stories, both new and old, are made accessible to everyone to discover and enjoy.

Edinburgh’s programme takes place from 28 to 29 September 2024. Whether you want to peek inside an 18^th century farm steading, visit the oldest custom house in Scotland, explore an operational bus garage or take a tour of a working courtroom, this is a great way to see inside many of the city’s fascinating buildings, many of which are not normally open to the public.

2024 marks the festival’s 35^th anniversary. Visitors will be able to take part in a range of events, including tours and workshops to celebrate the theme of Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections.

Some of the venues taking part in the Edinburgh 2024 programme include:

• Forth Bridges Contact and Education Centre. The Forth Road Bridge is among the world’s most remarkable long-span suspension bridges. Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition on the Forth Bridges and enjoy a guided minibus tour, including stops at key points along the deck and an inside look at one of the main cable anchorage chambers.
• Abbey Strand Centre, Holyrood. Discover more about the colourful past of this 500 year old building at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which has had a variety of uses, including a 16^th weapons store and a sanctuary for debtors in the 19^th century.
• Adam Smith’s Panmure House. This is a rare opportunity to see the Edinburgh home of Adam Smith, the Scottish economist and philosopher who was a key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment. Self-guided tours, including up-close viewing of selected books from Smith’s library will be available. A range of children’s activities will also be provided.
• Edinburgh Chess Club. Founded in 1822, Edinburgh Chess Club is the UK’s oldest chess club. Come along on either of the two days and see chess sets, clocks, trophies and the club’s historic library and archives.
• Royal Observatory Edinburgh. This working site is where cutting-edge science takes place every day. Meet scientists and engineers who work at The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh University’s Institute for Astronomy and the Higgs Centre for Innovation. With talks, tours, demos and crafts on offer, find out more about the amazing astronomy and scientific innovations taking place here.

• Edinburgh Central Library. Since opening in 1890, this expansive library has been providing a valuable service to Edinburgh residents and visitors. Behind the scenes tours will offer an insight into this remarkable building.
• Anatomical Museum, Old Medical School, The University of Edinburgh. This is a unique chance to explore a facility typically reserved for medical training. The museum houses a collection of specimens, models and human remains that have been instrumental in teaching anatomy since the medical school’s founding in 1726. Among its most infamous exhibits is the skeleton of 19^th century murderer, William Burke.
• National Galleries of Scotland, Granton Art Centre. Wall to wall with paintings, see where some of the National Galleries of Scotland’s magnificent collection is stored when it’s not on public display.
• The Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh. A place of innovation and technological advancement, the Bayes Centre is the University of Edinburgh’s Innovation Hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Discover more on a guided tour, which includes access to the studio and workshop facilities.
• Northern Lighthouse Board. This impressive building on George Street has been the headquarters of the Northern Lighthouse Board since 1832, distinguished by a miniature working lighthouse at the entrance. It is from here that the network of lights across Scotland and the Isle of Man are remotely monitored.

Edinburgh’s programme runs from 28 to 29 September 2024. Pre-booking is required for most events. The full programme is available on Doors Open Days.