Over 50 Perthshire attractions taking part in Doors Open Day

Sep 25 2009 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Over 50 attractions open their doors

TALES of history, legend, colourful characters and more recent times will be the highlight of this year’s Doors Open Day events.

This weekend sees over 50 buildings in Perth and Kinross open up to the public, with guided walks, exhibitions and special storytelling events for people of all ages to enjoy.

Doors Open Day takes place throughout Scotland every September and is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust. Held every year in September, Doors Open Day is the Scottish celebration of European Heritage Days, sponsored by the Council of Europe.

The full programme of open doors and events can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk. 

Here are some of the attractions:

Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth – The original tower house still forms the core of Balhousie Castle but by the mid-19th century it was in a dilapidated condition.

In 1864 David Smart was commissioned to repair and extend the building which is now occupied by the Black Watch Regimental Museum. Seven rooms on three floors of the Castle contain displays on the Regiment's history.

The Castle will also be host to a captivating storytelling event. Local professional storyteller Dolina Wallace will be delighting visitors young and old with stories, folk tales, legends and much more. Enjoy the magic of live stories in this wonderful setting.
Saturday 10am to 4.30pm. Storytelling sessions 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

The Watermill, Blair Atholl – There has been a mill on this site since at least the late 16th century. The current mill was built in the mid 19th century however it became redundant in 1929.

In 1977, the mill was restored with the help of the last miller's assistant who could still remember the old mill. One of 11 working watermills in Scotland, the mill is a central part of an independent family milling and bakery business.

Visitors are invited to view the mill and see how wheat and oats are stone-ground in the traditional manner. The miller will be on hand between 2.30pm and 4pm each afternoon to explain the process to visitors.
 
The Watermill will be host to an enchanting storytelling event and visitors young and old are encouraged to come along to hear local professional storyteller Claire Hewitt leading these sessions with water-themed stories, folk tales, legends and much more. 

Enjoy the magic of live stories in this beautiful highland setting.
Saturday 10am to 5.30pm, Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Storytelling on Saturday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm, sessions every half hour lasting 20 mins. Located on Ford Road, Blair Atholl.

Cultybraggan Training Camp, Comrie – The former MOD camp at Cultybraggan comprises over 100 Nissen Huts and related buildings, and a nuclear bunker.

The camp was purchased by the Comrie Development Trust on behalf of the village of Comrie in 2007 under the Land Reform legislation and is being sustainably developed as a community enterprise area with allotments, space for local businesses and sports facilities in the short-term, with longer term plans being progressed.
Saturday 10am until 4pm. Situated one mile to the southwest of Comrie, on the B927. Limited parking.

Historic Muthill guided walk – The architecture of the Strathearn village of Muthill reflects its long and sometimes turbulent history. Its origins as an early ecclesiastical centre, the burning by the Jacobites in 1716, its role as a weaving village and influence of local landowners, Drummond Estate, all had a profound impact.

Local resident Dr Lindsay Lennie leads. Saturday 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Grade of walk: easy. Booking essential - on (01738) 477089.