В Айршире откроются для публики руины замков, секретные бункеры и старинные церкви в рамках Дней открытых дверей

HISTORIC castle ruins, a secret Cold War bunker, centuries-old churches and some of Ayrshire's best-known cultural landmarks are among the fascinating sites opening their doors to the public this September. Doors Open Days returns for 2026, and venues across Ayrshire will take part, with a varied programme offering something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights to look out for... North Ayrshire Ardrossan Castle One of Scotland's oldest castles will welcome visitors on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. First recorded in 1149, the ruins of Ardrossan Castle stand on top of Castlehill, an elevated rocky outcrop offering panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde. The castle has links to some of the biggest names and events in Scottish history, including William Wallace, Oliver Cromwell and the Declaration of Arbroath. Auld Kirk of Kilbirnie With a history stretching back almost 900 years, the Auld Kirk of Kilbirnie will open to visitors on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. The church was first mentioned in 1127 and has an almost unbroken list of incumbents dating back to 1361. Visitors can also see windows by Guthrie & Wells, James Ballantine, Gordon Webster and Arthur Spiers, as well as the kirk's carved work. Beith Parish Church Beith Parish Church will welcome visitors on Sunday, September 13, offering the chance to discover more than two centuries of history. The building opened in 1810 and was extended in 1885, when it was reckoned to have capacity for 1,254 people. It became known as Beith High Church in 1929, around the time a congregation called Beith Trinity Church joined the Church of Scotland. Skelmorlie Secret Bunker For something completely different, visitors can head underground at Skelmorlie Secret Bunker when it opens on Sunday, September 13. Visitors can climb down into the monitoring post using a 15-foot vertical steel ladder. Those who would rather remain above ground can instead explore a full-size walk-in replica monitoring post and a main visitor cabin featuring a live-streamed audio-visual presentation. North Ayrshire Heritage Centre North Ayrshire Heritage Centre will open on Saturday, September 12, giving visitors the chance to explore local history inside a building which has a story of its own. The centre is housed in the former Ardrossan Parish Church, which was built in 1773. It is now home to North Ayrshire Council's principal museum collection, with highlights including the 13th-century Ardrossan sarcophagus, an 1867 fire engine and examples of Beithcraft furniture. South Ayrshire Ayr Town Hall Visitors will be able to explore one of Ayr's most recognisable landmarks – and even venture into its old police cells – when Ayr Town Hall opens on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. The town hall was designed by Edinburgh architect Thomas Hamilton in 1827 and cost £10,000 to build, while its landmark steeple rises 225 feet above the town. The building was refurbished in 2007, and Doors Open Days will give visitors the opportunity to walk around the town hall and see areas including the former police cells. Carnegie Library Ayr's Carnegie Library is a new addition to the Doors Open Days programme for 2026 and will welcome visitors on Saturday, September 12. The library was built following a gift from Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1893 and was designed by Glasgow architects Campbell Douglas and Morrison. Its exterior features an impressive red sandstone Renaissance-style frontage. Rozelle House Art lovers can visit Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Art Gallery on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. The Doors Open Days weekend coincides with the final weekend of an exhibition featuring work by Frances Walker and Ade Adesina. The exhibition features a range of prominent artists working in Scotland and forms part of the Royal Scottish Academy's RSA 200 programme in 2026. South Ayrshire Council Museum Store Visitors can get a glimpse of the cultural treasures kept behind the scenes when South Ayrshire Council's main Fine Art and Museum Store opens on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. The store houses collections covering a remarkably broad range of subjects, including textiles, social history, fossils, fine art, archaeology and natural history. The Gaiety Theatre One of Scotland's oldest theatres will open its doors to visitors on Sunday, September 13. The Gaiety is known for its traditional and intimate auditorium and has welcomed generations of performers to its stage. The iconic Ayr venue is owned and run by Ayr Gaiety Partnership, which aims to increase wellbeing through the arts and believes everyone has a right to a cultural life. East Ayrshire Auchinleck House A historic country house with connections to celebrated diarist James Boswell will welcome visitors on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. Auchinleck House was built between 1755 and 1760 by Alexander Boswell, 8th Laird of Auchinleck and father of James Boswell, who became famous as the diarist and biographer of Samuel Johnson. The house sits within extensive grounds featuring fields, woodland and riverbanks which visitors can explore. Heritage Centre Cumnock From steam engines and army trucks to Cumnock pottery, visitors will be able to step back in time at Heritage Centre Cumnock when it opens on Sunday, September 13. Its exhibits range from small everyday objects such as magnifying glasses to vintage vehicles, steam engines and military trucks. The collection also includes police heritage, fairground attractions, fire station equipment and displays relating to the area's industrial and agricultural past. The Club Visitors will have the chance to step inside a private members' club which has been part of Kilmarnock life for more than 140 years when The Club opens on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. Known locally as The Gentleman's Club, the private members' club has been in existence since 1884 and is mainly located on the first floor of the building. A number of original features survive inside, including a large stained-glass window. Dunlop Kirk A historic village kirk featuring striking stained glass will open to visitors on Sunday, September 13. Dunlop Kirk occupies an impressive position at the end of Main Street and is a Category B-listed building dating from 1835, while incorporating earlier work from 1621. One of its most notable features is its collection of stained-glass windows, which are particularly unusual for a rural village church. For a full list of all the Ayrshire venues taking part, visit doorsopendays.org.uk