Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment, new and old. Every September, you can explore hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland for free. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. Doors Open Days is a national event run by the Scottish Civic Trust. Information about the national programme, including event listings, can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk. Programme Highlights: Cousland Smiddy and Heritage Hub Cousland Smiddy gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into our village's heritage, with an early 18th century blacksmith's workshop, Victorian cottage, other partially conserved associated buildings, organic allotments in the former gardens and recreational spaces to enjoy. We believe there has been a continuously working Smiddy on this site in the village since at least 1703. The location is home to Cousland Smiddy Trust, Cousland Local History Project, Cousland Community Heritage Hub and the Cousland Smiddy Plotters. Crichton Collegiate Church Crichton was built as a Collegiate Church by Sir William Crichton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland in the time of King James II, and boasts a fine suite of stained glass windows by Ballantine and Gardiner. The pipe organ dates from 1898 and was built by Joseph Brook. The building is now in the care of a charitable Trust. Dalkeith Community Fire Station Dalkeith Fire Station opened on 9 November 1970 and is an integral part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It provides a high quality fire-fighting and rescue service that responds to fires and other emergencies, educating and advising the general public on community safety matters, enforcing fire safety legislation and advising local authorities and other agencies with respect to their own legal obligations. Dalkeith Museum Dalkeith Museum is a small independent museum, fully accredited by Museum Galleries Scotland. It is located in the rear of the Grade A listed Dalkeith Corn Exchange – at one time, the largest in Scotland. The museum is totally run by a team of volunteers on behalf of Dalkeith History Society. It provides a welcoming open space where visitors can discover the often under-estimated and under-told history of a once vibrant market town. Lodge St Leonard Loanhead and Lasswade This Lodge has been active in Loanhead since February 1876 when a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to allow it to be formed. The foundation stone was laid on 29 April 1899. Mavisbank House Construction on Mavisbank House began in 1723, by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik and the architect William Adam. Just over 50 years ago, a major fire left the building in ruins and finally efforts to restore the house are now underway. Sorry, both the talks are now fully booked. Midlothian Camera Club Midlothian Camera Club is a small but active and friendly camera and photography club. The club caters for all levels of photographic ability and interests. It provides opportunities for its members to learn new techniques and develop their skills through activities, presentations and use of studio and darkroom facilities. We are one of only a very few camera clubs in Scotland to have its own club rooms with photographic facilities including darkroom, studio etc. MMCC Bonnyrigg Mosque Originally opened in 1908 as the Carnegie Library, this distinctive building was funded through the philanthropy of Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, whose programme supported the construction of more than 2,500 public libraries worldwide. Carnegie believed that free access to books and education could help people improve their lives and strengthen their communities. Today, the building is home to the Midlothian Muslim Community Centre, commonly known as MMCC Bonnyrigg Mosque. It serves as a place of worship and as a welcoming community centre for people from Bonnyrigg and the wider Midlothian area. Alongside daily prayers, the centre supports religious education, youth development, family and welfare services, charitable initiatives and wider community engagement. The building continues its original tradition of public service by bringing people together and supporting the educational, social and spiritual needs of the local community. National Mining Museum Scotland National Mining Museum Scotland is a 5 star visitor attraction set in the wonderfully restored Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, just 5 minutes from the Edinburgh City by-pass and a 5 minute walk from Newtongrange Railway Station. Newbattle Masonic Lodge Newbattle Masonic Lodge was originally a Free Church of Scotland , Built in Late 19th Century and purchased as venue for Freemasons in mid 20th Cent. Mungo McKay, the Manager of Lady Victoria colliery was the first “Master “ and the founding members were made up from the local mining community. It is that community spirit that we wish to preserve and enhance. Penicuik Papermaking Heritage Museum We are a small museum exploring Penicuik’s unique heritage as one of the most important centres of papermaking in the world. Soutra Aisle and Abbey Soutra Aisle on Soutra Hill is a family mausoleum built from and on the remains of the 12th century Soutra Hospice and Abbey. St James the Less, Scottish Episcopal Church Church built in 1880’s in rural setting with beautiful stained glass windows and rare, carved reredos by the same artist who made the one in Edinburgh Castle. St Mary's in the Park, Dalkeith Country Park A Scottish Episcopal Church built in 1845 - it has numerous special features like the water organ, roof, and stained glass windows. Temple Old Kirk Temple Old Kirk is a fine ruined medieval parish church built over the foundations of the Knights Templar Preceptory of Balantrodoch, the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Scotland. Thistle Modelmakers Thistle Modelmakers are a group of men and women that are interested in model railways. We design, build and operate our layouts in various scales and depict scenes from Scotland, Germany, Austria and the USA, past and present.

Description supplied by the event organiser.