Doors Open Days will feature 16 venues in Caithness and north Sutherland

Sixteen venues in Caithness and north Sutherland are set to take part in the annual Doors Open Days programme next month.

Now in its 33rd year, Doors Open Days is a free festival that sees organisations and volunteers offer free access to sites and events across Scotland. It seeks to ensure that the built and cultural heritage is made accessible to everyone living in and visiting the country.

The programme is organised by the Scottish Civic Trust in association with several regional coordinators.

In Caithness and north Sutherland, a range of doors will be flung open to welcome visitors over the weekend of September 17/18.

Those taking part in Doors Open Days for the first time include Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre, which was officially opened in April this year within the old village school in Sinclair Street.

The other far north venues are Ousdale Broch, just north of the Ord; North Lands Creative, at Lybster; Dunbeath Ice House and Bothy; Thrumster railway station; Wick Heritage Museum; Lodge St Fergus; John O'Groat Lodge of Freemasons; Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archive, in Wick; John O’Groats Mill; Castletown Mill; North Coast Visitor Centre, formerly Caithness Horizons; Old St Peter’s Kirk; St Peter and the Holy Rood Episcopal Church; Wolfburn Distillery, all Thurso; and Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill.

Details of each one can be found on the Doors Open Days website.

After years of Covid restrictions, 2022 sees a full return of opportunities to visit these locations in person. The organisers describe it as a chance to "uncover hidden gems" and "experience familiar places through fresh eyes".

Dr Susan O’Connor, director of the Scottish Civic Trust and national coordinator of Doors Open Days, said: "Doors Open Days offers visitors the opportunity to play ‘tourist’ in their own town for free, as they uncover new experiences and revisit old favourites right on their doorstep.

"We hope our visitors take this opportunity to make new memories with their friends and families, while they celebrate the stories that have shaped Scotland."

Caithness and north Sutherland coordinator Ian Leith said: “The willing cooperation of these participating organisations ensures that the people of Caithness and north Sutherland are offered a wide and exciting range of heritage opportunities.”

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