'Doors Open Day' is an annual event that takes place all over
Scotland allowing people entry without charge to buildings and
attractions not normally open to the public. The Doors
Open Day event forms Scotland's contribution towards European
Heritage Days.
For further details have a look at the
Doors Open Days website.
East Dunbartonshire has taken part in Doors Open Day for 13
years. In September 2011 the programme
included a mix of old favourites and new venues:
- Bearsden Primary and Bearsden Academy - compare one of
East Dunbartonshire's oldest schools with one of the newest in the
Academy's centenary year.
- Caurnie Soaperie, Kirkintilloch - Scotland's oldest
soapmaker
- Walks and boat trips on the Forth and Clyde Canal
- Brackenbrae House, Bishopbriggs - a large Edwardian Villa built
in 1910
In 2010 the programme featured the following East
Dunbartonshire venues
An informal tour of the studio of Stevenson Stained Glass
Stevenson Stained Glass is run by Colin Stevenson, a specialist
in the design, manufacture and installation of traditionally made
stained and leaded glasswork. He works closely with clients from
initial design, through to installation of the finished
piece. Other work undertaken includes the restoration and
repair of damaged stained and leaded glasswork.
St Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch
The first St Ninian's School had 75 pupils and was opened in
January 1874 on Union Street, Kirkintilloch . The
school was extended and modernised to accommodate the increasing
roll. Children attended from the villages of Croy and
Twechar, parts of Stirling shire as well as the town itself.
By the mid 1920s accommodation was again a major problem.
Westermains House on Bellfield Road and surrounding grounds were
purchased and the new school opened in November 1931 with 1,060
pupils. As part of the Council's Public Private
Partnership Programme a brand new school opened in August
2009.
Read more about the History
of St Ninian's RC High School (pdf) (1Mb)
Boat trips on the canal
The Forth & Clyde Canal Society provide boat trips as part of
Doors Open Day. They employ three vessels - the
Voyager, the Gipsy and the Janet Telford
operating from Kirkintilloch Marina to Hillhead and the
Leisuredrome, Bishopbriggs to Cadder.
St Mary's Church, Kirkintilloch
St Mary's was completed in 1914 to replace the Auld Kirk
at the Cross. Its impressive Gothic tower contrasts with the
tapering spire of nearby St David's. It was designed by
Messrs Clark & Bell of Glasgow and features modern stained
glass by Kirkintilloch artist Willie Rodger.