New look at wall to wall city talent..

Published on Friday 26 September 2003 01:00

IT is surely one of the most basic of all human instincts. Wanting to poke around in places where you probably have no right to be is an innate desire which proves the philosophy: I neb, therefore I am.

And could there be a better way of satisfying this desire than the annual event that is Doors Open Day? It’s a rare chance to get behind the curtains and into the drawers of places - be they stately homes, historic churches, or even a university computer centre - where you’re unlikely to be welcomed during the rest of the year.

This year’s round of nosiness occurs in Edinburgh and East Lothian this weekend, and is offering up some 72 buildings to delight even the most inquisitive.

As usual, the Edinburgh side is co-ordinated by the Cockburn Association which has been running the event for the last ten years, and its director, Martin Hulse, suggests the top five to see on Saturday include a theatre, a nursery, a cancer centre, a school and a place where lumps of rock are kept.

"The problem with Doors Open Day is that I never get enough time to see all the buildings that I want to," says Hulse. "Of the 59 buildings on the list, I have probably visited 40 on previous occasions, and this year I plan to see five that I have never visited before.

"The North Edinburgh Arts Centre in Muirhouse is a new building that was designed by Zoo Architects. I think it is essential that we support good, modern architecture in the city and also believe that the arts are an essential component of urban regeneration.

"I am therefore interested to see what impact this building will have on the area.

"Continuing the theme, I’m also intending a trip to the Flora Stevenson Nursery at Comely Bank, which is a new scheme by Arcade Architects, which also designed the Mossman House in Merchiston Mews. I am keen to compare this building with the under-fives centre off the High Street, which I visited at last year’s event.

"I also want to visit the Maggie’s Centre at the Western General Hospital. This is one of a handful of buildings by Richard Murphy in this year’s event. He is one of Edinburgh’s most prominent architects and this is probably the pick of his buildings, though I might also make time to see the Harmeny School in Balerno.

"On a more historic theme, I will also be visiting the Mortuary Chapel of the Sick Kids hospital, and for my last choice I am going to toss a coin between the British Geological Survey and the DTI Core Store in Gilmerton Road. My tip is not to try and cram too much into the day, but spend some time looking at the buildings, and both of these buildings will have fascinating exhibits. Both also sound great visits for children."

But Hulse recommends some of Edinburgh’s older buildings too. "It would be a grave mistake not to visit the Old College of the University of Edinburgh. I always head straight for the Playfair Library to marvel at the interior. It is definitely one of Edinburgh’s grandest interiors.

"The South Bridge Vaults on Blair Street are also worth visiting, and although there is always a queue for this building, they are very good at keeping things moving, so be patient."

He adds: "One of the best views from a building can be gained from the Edinburgh Society of Musicians on Belford Road. Drumsheugh Toll provides fantastic views over the Water of Leith and Dean Village, though this building is worth a visit just for its beautiful recital room.

"I would also suggest the Guru Nanak Gurdawara Singh Sabha Sikh Temple on Sheriff Brae. Do not be fooled by the Gothic pinnacles of the former church, this building is full of Eastern delight. With an exhibition and turban-tying demonstrations, this is well worth a visit."

Meanwhile, in East Lothian, there will be 13 places to visit on Sunday. It’s the seventh year East Lothian has taken part in the event, and last year more than 400 people visited the diverse range of participating venues.

One which always attracts a crowd is Cockenzie Power Station. The 1200-megawatt, coal-fired, working power station opened in 1968 and it will be offering guided tours on the hour - although it doesn’t allow entry to children under ten. Chalmers Memorial Church in Port Seton is also worth a visit.

The church is said to have been built to look like an upturned boat, but it’s believed this could refer to curved, external buttresses shown in an earlier design, which was not built. It has a very elegant spire and bell tower and a unique stencilled interior, as well as stained-glass windows by Margaret Chilton and Marjorie Kemp.

Dunbar Parish Church was destroyed by fire in 1987 and then reconstructed in 1991, so this building has a unique blend of 19th and 20th-century architecture. It also contains one of the most important pieces of monumental sculpture in Scotland - the monument to the Earl of Dunbar by Maximilian Colt, dated 1611.

The National Museum of Flight is also open - including its storage and conservation areas which are not normally open to the public. Other buildings include Amisfield Walled Garden and Summer House in Haddington, Lennoxlove House, Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh - which includes children’s workshops, lighting and sound demonstrations, performances, and talks by the theatre director and designer - Loretto Chapel and Pinkie House at Loretto School, the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, Glenkinchie Distillery near Pencaitland and Prestongrange Church in Prestonpans.

On top of all that, the Prestonpans Heritage Association is holding a guided walk-about in the historic village of Preston from 11am to 1pm, with opportunities to view some masterpieces of Scottish vernacular buildings from inside and out.

l To check out the full list of participating buildings, and those which need to be pre-booked in East Lothian, visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk