INVERCLYDE is gearing up for Doors Open Days, the free festival that celebrates Scotland’s history and allows access to landmark buildings.
Local residents will get the chance to see inside 20 locations, many of which are normally closed to the public.
Doors Open Days celebrates its 30th birthday this year and is being held locally on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September.
The programme includes a James Watt historical bus tour and trail to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greenock-born inventor's death.
Find the Watts children’s challenge will see kids hunting for six mini James Watts that will be hidden in some of the buildings along the Greenock Town Trail.
There will be a Lego Watt! drop-in event at Greenock Central Library plus James Watt-themed arts and crafts provided by Rig Arts in the Tobacco Warehouse for youngsters to enjoy as well.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of Inverclyde Council’s education and communities committee, said: “The aim of Doors Open Days is to make Scotland’s buildings, old and new, open and accessible to people living and visiting the country.
“Inverclyde has a wealth of historic buildings that are definitely worth visiting. Many of us never take the time to be a ‘tourist in our own town’ so now is the time to find all the attractions on your doorstep.”
Doors Open Day is coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust.
List of Venues
-- Quarriers Village, Faith Avenue, near Kilmacolm -- Saturday, guided walks at 11am and 1pm -- Greenock Community Fire Station, Rue End Street -- Saturday, 10am to 4pm
-- Central Library, Wallace Place, Greenock -- Saturday, Lego Watt! Drop-in session from 11am until noon. Suitable for all ages; children under eight are asked to bring an adult
-- Burns Museum, Custom House Quay, Greenock, Inverclyde
-- Wellpark Mid Kirk, Cathcart Square, Greenock -- Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Sunday, 1 to 4pm
-- Fire Service Museum and Heritage Centre, Old Fire Station, Dalrymple Street, Greenock -- Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday, noon to 4pm. Includes children’s quiz sheets and interactive games
-- Tobacco Warehouse, 5 to 7 Clarence Street, Greenock -- Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 3pm
-- St Ninian’s Primary School, Staffa Street, Gourock. Saturday 10am to 1pm
-- Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock -- Sunday, noon to 5pm
-- Greenock West United Reformed Church, George Square -- Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Organ music at intervals throughout the day.
-- St John's Episcopal Church, Union Street, Greenock -- Saturday 11am to 2pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm (Service on Sunday at 11am). Descriptive illustrated leaflets available and guided tours on request. Recorded organ music will also be played throughout the day.
-- Westburn Parish Church, Nelson Street, Greenock -- Saturday, 10am to 1pm (for worship at 11am followed by tea/coffee/juice/biscuits)
-- St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Patrick Street, Greenock -- Saturday, 11am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 3pm
-- Lyle Kirk (formerly Old West Kirk), Esplanade, 2 Campbell Street -- Saturday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday, 2 to 4pm. Historical talks are at 11am on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. Children’s activity -- colouring pictures/outline of the windows
-- Greenock Prison, 85 Old Inverkip Road -- Saturday and Sunday, 12.15pm to 1.15pm. By arranged tour only, pre-booking essential (16-plus only) -- call 01475 712032. The tour will include living areas, work areas and show opportunities on offer for people who live in prison.
-- Greenock Art Club, The Stables Studio, Gourock Park, Broomberry Drive, Gourock -- Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Demonstrations of painting, craft making and wood turning. Refreshments are available and children are very welcome.
-- Old Gourock and Ashton Parish Church, 41 Royal Street, Gourock -- Saturday 10am to 2pm, Sunday, noon to 2pm
-- Gourock Municipal Buildings, 122 Shore Street -- Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4pm. On Saturday from 1 to 2pm, an amateur film, Last Dance of Cragburn, will be shown.
-- Wemyss Bay Station. Saturday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. There are guided tours at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
-- Skelmorlie’s Secret Bunker -- The Royal Observer Corps Monitoring Post Museum. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6pm. Pre=bookable tours only -- call 07513 504115. Access is via a 15-foot vertical steel ladder from an entrance shaft on the surface. Tours last up to one hour and are restricted to adults and children from Primary Seven onwards.
Bus Tours
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town -– Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm
Sunday at 1.30pm -- Coach leaves Port Glasgow Bus Station. Duration: 3½ hours. Tour guides provided by Inverclyde Tourist Group
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town -- Gourock
Sunday at 1.30pm -- Coach leaves from Gourock Railway Station. Duration: about 2½ hours. Tour guides by Inverclyde Tourist Group.
James Watt Tour and Trail 2019
Sunday at 10.30am. Coach leaves from Kilblain Street Bus Station, Greenock. Free parking is available nearby at Hastie Street. Duration: two hours. Some walking required.
Bus tours can be booked by phoning 01475 712032.
