Go behind the scenes at Doors Open Day events

SCOTLAND’S Doors Open Days is an annual heritage event which takes place every September, providing free access to buildings across the country which are usually either closed to the public or charge an entrance fee.

This year’s event is set to be the biggest yet and with over a thousand architectural jewels set to open their doors over the next few weekends, we have selected a few of the most extraordinary buildings to visit.

Anatomy Museum and Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh

This anatomical museum hosts a wealth of historical and modern material used by anatomy students including skulls, skeletons and medical instruments. Visitors can also access the infamous anatomy lecture theatre designed by Robert Rowand Anderson in 1884 which is laid-out with steep-racked benches and traditionally houses a dissecting table at its centre. Open 22nd September (10am-4pm).

The Prop of Ythsie, near Tarves

The Prop of Ythsie is a 25m, granite tower akin to a giant chess-piece. The monument was built as a memorial for the Prime Minister and Fourth Earl of Aberdeen, George Hamilton Gordon in 1981. The tower dominates the surrounding skyline and an internal granite and clay spiral staircase leads to a parapet where visitors will be treated to striking views. Open 15th September (All day).

St Margaret’s Cave, Dunfermline

St Margret’s Cave is a well-known place of pilgrimage, famously used for prayer and meditation by Queen Margaret in the 11th Century. The cave is now only accessible by a single tunnel which runs 56 feet below ground providing an atmospheric experience of historic Dunfermline. Open 16th September (11am - 6pm).

The Roslin Institute

Doors Open Day offers visitors access to both traditional and contemporary architecture and an example of the latter can be seen at Roslin’s new veterinary science institute, which opened in 2011. Four hundred and fifty scientists, students and support staff, known for the cloning of Dolly the Sheep, continue their work in this innovatively designed hub of agricultural research. Open 8th September (1pm - 4pm).

Vogrie Country Park Evening Bat Walk, near Gorebridge

The evening walk begins at dusk and is led by the park’s Wildlife Information Centre Manager who will provide factual information about the bats. Visitors will be given bat detectors to enable them to see and hear the different species of bats living at the park and will also have the opportunity to spot other nocturnal wildlife. Open 8th September (7pm - 9pm).

• More information about Doors Open Day is available online