Words & Photos by Jeremy Watson
Have you ever been intrigued by a local building or location, but not had the opportunity to visit?
This Saturday September 14, West Dunbartonshire will hold a DOORS OPEN DAY to find out more.
We hold ours every two years although similar events are held annually across Scotland.
‘DOORS OPEN DAY’ is interpreted in many ways.
Not only are doors that are not usually accessible to the public open, but also gates. Opening doors can also mean introducing you to things and places you may not have considered.
And some venues which usually charge an entrance fee have free entry on the day.
Locally, venues range from the Old Kirk beyond Gartocharn, to the gardens at Robin House. Contrast these with the heavy machinery of the Winch House at Drumkinnon Bay used to pull the Maid of the Loch on to the slipway.
Then there is the fine Arts and Crafts murals of the Masonic Lodge in Alexandria and nearby the fascinating little museum in Alexandria Library covering local history such as the textile industry in the Vale.
Strathleven House adds regional dignity, while a visit to the Denny Tank museum in Dumbarton reminds visitors of the area’s pioneering ingenuity.
And while in the town, why not pop into Dumbarton Sheriff Court which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
In Old Kilpatrick you can find the Wee Chatty Cafe, a brightly painted portacabin and behind a pleasant little community garden in which to sip your tea or blether about what you have seen today.
Both Dumbarton and Clydebank fire stations are participating. Not only are they fascinating to look around and get close to fire trucks and those who man them, but you can also learn about fire safety at home.
Also in Clydebank, the Kilbowie Street St Andrews Church with its inspiring memorials to those who suffered in the Blitz, will have its doors wide open.
Elsewhere across West Dunbartonshire you will find art and history exhibitions such as those in the libraries and Clydebank Town Hall while in the Pavilion in Levengrove Park there will be a display of the art by the local community.
And there are also guided walks. ‘A Walk with our Ancestors’, led by Florence Boyle will take you around Old Kilpatrick and include a visit to the local graveyard. Or enjoy an introduction to the Antonine Wall by Severine Peyrichou, Antonine Wall Project Development Officer with West Dunbartonshire Council.
If you’d rather sample our local heritage from the comfort of your own home you can enjoy guided tours of 40 local historic sites and premises thanks to Clydesider’s Take a Minute films which can be watched on their Clydesider Creative YouTube channel.
For more information visit the EXPLORE WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE website. Explore West Dunbartonshire | DOORS OPEN DAY : WEST DUNBARTONSHIR 2024 (spanglefish.com) or the national Doors Open Days website Doors Open Days 2024 | Unlock Scotland this September!
