People will be given the opportunity to explore some of Ayrshire’s interesting buildings as part of this year’s Doors Open Day.

Scotland’s largest free festival offers cost-free access to over a thousand venues across the country each September. This years event, the 32nd edition of the festival, will take place in Ayrshire on September 11 and 12, with both online and in-person events and activities.

The Ayrshire venues participating are: Ardrossan Castle, Auchinleck House, Auchinleck Parish Church, South Ayrshire Council’s Museum Stores, Beith’s old kirk and kirkyard, a Georgian townhouse in Beith, a private telephone museum in Darvel, Dunlop kirk, Loudon kirk, the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine, a private members club in Kilmarnock known locally as The Gentleman’s Club, Kilwinning Abbey Tower Heritage Centre, the Clark Memorial Church in Largs, the National Burns Memorial Homes in Mauchline, Portencross Castle, Skelmorlie and Weymss Bay Parish Church, a secret bunker in Skelmorlie, The Broadway in Prestwick, and Troon Old Parish Church.

Director of Scottish Civic Trust, Doors Open Days national coordinator, Dr Susan O’Connor, said: “Hundreds of venues across the country are busy behind-the-scenes organising events, planning walking tours and creating videos and other virtual activities for visitors. We’re particularly excited to welcome visitors back into buildings for in-person events so we can all reconnect with our neighbours and local places.”