This Saturday (29th) is the annual "Doors Open Day" in Edinburgh, which sees many buildings which are normally closed to the public opened up for the day. For a list of what's open see the programme at: doorsopendays.org.uk and more info at cockburnassociation.org.uk.
There are building city-wide, but in the local area:
56. The Robin Chapel
(The Thistle Foundation)
Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4EA.
Open 10am to 4pm
This unique, listed building dates from the 1950’s and was built in memory of Robin Tudsbery whose parents funded the Thistle Foundation for war service veterans. The building, designed by Matthew and Lorimer, has a complete set of nine stained glass windows by the late Sadie McLellan of Glasgow, based on John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”. There are also a number of fine oak carvings by Thomas Good, depicting animals and birds linked to Robin and his childhood. Short guided tours will be available at 11am and 2pm, and a short organ recital will be played at 12 noon.
Website: www.thistle.org
57. The Tudsbery Centre
Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4EA.
Open 10am to 4pm
The Tudsbery Centre is situated within a conservation village in Craigmillar alongside The Robin Chapel. The village is currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme to upgrade the houses. The Thistle Foundation Village, built to provide housing and support for war service veterans, was funded by Lord and Lady Tudsbery, parents of Robin Tudsbery, their only son, who died at the end of the Second World War. The centre houses a gym, therapeutic swimming pool, lifestyle facility and Complementary Therapy suites adjoin the community garden. The centre’s gym will be open to visitors all day and complimentary taster sessions will be available.
Website: www.thistle.org
58. Duddingston House
105 Milton Road West, EH15 1RB.
Open 10am to 4pm
Built in 1763 for the Earl of Abercorn, Duddingston House is the most completely preserved and often regarded as the finest of the houses designed by Sir William Chambers. Recently refurbished, Duddingston House incorporates unique contemporary design within a historic setting. Guided tours will be available to visitors.
59. The Chancellor’s Building
49 Little France Crescent, EH16 4SB.
Open 11am to 3pm
The Chancellor’s Building provides modern academic space for the University’s new Medical School with two lecture theatres, medical library and research laboratories. Alan Davie’s Morton Tapestry ‘To a Celtic Spirit’, hangs in the entrance foyer. Also housed is the Polish School of Medicine’s Historical Collection highlighting a unique war time academic initiative set up in 1941. Guided tours will be available for small groups.
Website: www.mvm.ed.ac.uk/littlefrance
75.Waste Aware Education Cabin
Seafield Community Recycling Centre,
Fillyside Road, EH7 6RD.
Open 10am to 4pm
The Waste Aware Education Cabin is a newly developed community resource designed to educate people on a range of issues to do with recycling. Visitors will be able to take part in a waste workshop, a range of fun activities, a guided tour of the centre and a chance to see the compactor trucks crushing recycled waste.
Website:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/wasteaware
76. Seafield Crematorium
Seafield Road, EH6 7LQ.
Open 10am to 4pm
Seafield Crematorium is a B listed building which opened in 1939. While it has modern facilities, it retains many of its original features. These include polished oak floors, a catafalque of Italian and Swedish marble, ornamental wrought iron work and a mosaic illuminated by concealed floodlighting. Guided tours, showing behind the scenes at the crematorium, will also be available on the day.
Website: www.edinburghcrematorium.com
77. St Mark’s Episcopal Church
287 Portobello High Street, EH15 2AR.
Open 10am to 4pm
St Mark’s is a Neo Classical villa style building which was consecrated in 1828. It was one of the first Episcopal churches to be built in the Edinburgh Diocese after the repressions of the Penal Laws. The graveyard contains many monuments to military and naval officers based in Portobello during the eighteenth century.