Don't tell the protesters, but the RBS HQ is opening to the public

Published on Monday 30 August 2010 16:01

FOR the protesters who staged a week-long demo on its front lawn, the Royal Bank of Scotland's Gogarburn headquarters was decidedly off limits.

Yet in just a few weeks the building is set to relax its security when its joins the city's annual Doors Open Day for the first time.

The bank's HQ is one of dozens of properties around the capital which will allow visitors a behind-the-scenes peek on September 25 and 26.

Now in its 20th year, Doors Open Day is organised by civic group the Cockburn Association and features a number of popular buildings of architectural and cultural significance.

Maggie Spalding, the Edinburgh Doors Open Day co-ordinator, said: "I'm very excited to have the chance to celebrate the 20th Edinburgh Doors Open Day.

"As always, we have a busy programme with 17 brand new venues and a total of 78 buildings opening over the weekend.

"I believe the 2010 programme is as diverse as ever and I hope that the event will bring huge enjoyment to everyone that takes part."

Designed by Michael Laird and RHWL architects and completed in 2005, RBS' 44 hectare campus at Gogarburn provides a base for over 3,500 employees.

Among the other new venues open to the public are Drylaw police station, and Portobello's Japanese House, an environmentally-friendly private home.

Merchiston Castle School and the offices of city law firm Morton Fraser at the Quartermile development are also joining the event.

Adam Wilkinson, of Edinburgh World Heritage, added: "Doors Open Day is an important and inspiring event, capturing the nation's enthusiasm for the stories of our ancestors, as told by the buildings that have been passed on to us.

"It is a privilege for us to be able to support an event that brings history and heritage alive for such a broad audience."

Inspiration for the first-ever Scottish Doors Open Day came from Open Monument Day held in Groningen in the Netherlands.

John Gerrard, then director of the Scottish Civic Trust, proposed a similar idea as part of Glasgow's celebrations during its holding of European City of Culture.

The inaugural Doors Open Days, which took place held in 1990, featured in Glasgow and Ayr.

COME ON IN

Some of the properties included in Doors Open Day

&#149 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road,

&#149 City Chambers, High Street

&#149 King's Theatre, Leven Street

&#149 Merchiston Castle School, Colinton Road.

&#149 Morton Fraser, Quartermile Two, Lister Square

&#149 National Museums Scotland Collections Centre, West Granton Road

&#149 St Bernard's Mineral Well, Water of Leith Walkway, Stockbridge

&#149 Surgeons' Hall Museum, Hill Square

&#149 Usher Hall, Lothian Road

&#149 Wauchope Mausoleum, Niddrie House Drive