New additions to Highland Doors Open Days 2007

Five lifeboat stations, a castle, private home and the headquarters of a national environmental agency are among the new venues added to the national Doors Open Days event this year.

Doors Open Days 2007 in Highland is taking place in Inverness on Saturday 1st September, in Caithness on Saturday 8th September, in Sutherland and Wester Ross on Saturdays 8th, 15th and 16th September, in Lochaber and in Skye and Lochalsh on Saturday 15th September and in Easter Ross and the Black Isle on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council, Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: “This is a great opportunity for the public to get inside some of the most fascinating buildings in the Highlands and to discover how they fit in to our heritage, I am sure that the public will find this a rewarding experience.”

Sheila Currie, SNH's greening the workplace officer, said: "There are a number of new participants in the scheme this year, notably Great Glen House in Inverness, the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage and the Deer Commission for Scotland, which was officially opened last autumn.

"This imaginatively designed building has been awarded the highest ever UK score for the environmental aspects of its design and construction, and is a fascinating example of a sustainable and attractive green design in the capital of the Highlands.  There are viewings of Great Glen House organised as part of the Doors Open Day event and staff will be on hand to discuss some of the work SNH does here."

Among the other buildings open to the public this year are the lifeboat stations at Scrabster, Lochinver, Portree, Mallaig, and Invergordon; and private houses at Duncraig Castle, Plockton and Barkly House, Cromarty.

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s contribution to European Heritage Days and is a joint initiative between the Council of Europe and the European Union. It aims to give people the opportunity to explore some of the country’s most interesting buildings, many of which are not normally accessible to the public. The event is nationally co-ordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust, and is supported by Historic Scotland.

Within Highland, Doors Open Days 2007 is locally co-ordinated by The Highland Council, Caithness Archaeological Trust and Inverness City Heritage Trust.  Events will take place on three weekends in September allowing free access to participating buildings with the aim of encouraging people to enjoy a wide range of buildings, both old and modern in the Highlands.

Admission to all participating buildings is free on the day. For further information about Doors Open Days 2007 see The Highland Council’s website   or for national events visit our events page or http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/