DOORS OPEN DAYS West Dunbartonshire 2024
Watch this space. What you see below is a tentative list of venues and events. This will be updated and elaborated during the period up until Saturday the 14th September which is our local Doors Open Day.
DOORS OPEN DAYS is interpreted in many ways. Not only are doors open on this day that are not usually open to the public open, but also gates. And then "opening doors" can also mean introducing you to things and places you may not usually have considered. Some venues that usually charge an entrance fee will have free entry on the day.
KILMARONOCK OLD CHURCH, east of Gartocharn : A historic church and its churchyard have been restored
ROBIN HOUSE : Their amazing gardens will be open to the public.
MAID OF THE LOCH and the WINCH HOUSE : These will be open to the public for free.
MASONIC LODGE, Alexandria : An amazing building with extraordinary murals. .
ALEXANRIA LIBRARY - VALE OF LEVEN HERITAGE CENTRE : You probably knkow this building well already, but have tou seen the little museum upstairs dedicated to the textile and other industries of the Vale?
RENTON TRINITY PARISH CHURCH : A strong community church,
WEST KIRK, Bridgend. A great rose window.
LEVENGROVE PARK HUB : The community comes together to show you its art.
STRATHLEVEN HOUSE : A grand palladian villa right here in the Vale.
ST AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH : Some great stained glass. And even angels.
RIVERSIDE PARISH CHURCH : The stained glass windows are extraordinary.
DUMBARTON LIBRARY and HERITAGE CENTRE : Exhibition.
VETERANS ASSOCIATION at DUMBARTON CENTRAL STATION : Come and meet some of our armed forces veterans and see the small exhibition.
ST PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH : Extraordinary features at every turn.
DENNY MODEL SHIP EXPERIMENTAL TANK : Part of the Scottish Maritime Museum. Free to enter on the day.
OVERTOUN HOUSE : Access is restricted to the entrance poritico and hall through to the rooms where tea and eats are available, but what an entrance!
AOK ie ACTION OLD KILBOWIE WALKABOUT : Explore the area with a guide.
WEE CHATTY CAFE and garden: On the face of it a decorated container, but look closer. This community project by Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) offers a welcome respite to the weary walker or cyclist next to the Saltings. And there is a community garden too.
BACKDOOR GALLERY next to Dalmuir Library : Look out for the current exhibition.
CLYDEBANK TOWN HALL, MUSEUM AND GALLERY : There is a permanent exhibition of Singer sewing machines and ship related displays, but it also has some wonderful art too. And to top that there is usually a special exhibition on a variety of subjects on in the museum section. [* Note that as at 2024 the displays are limited].
KILBOWIE ST ANDREWS CHURCH : Of specific interest is the commemeration of the Clydebank Blitz.
DUMBARTON FIRE STATION & KILBOWIE FIRE STATION : These will host displays and demonstrations on the day.
GOLDEN HILL ROMAN FORT : Join a group to explore the area's Roman past.
WEST DUNBARTON VIRTUALLY : ARCHIVAL VIDEOS : videos by the Dumbarton film club and available through YouTube.
CLYDESIDER PRESENTS : This community publication also hosts events and has initiated several videos about West Dunbartonshire. These are presented by Paul Murdoch and include aerial footage.
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE'S VIRTUAL MUSEUM : Possibly a first for Doors Open Days anywhere. We invite residents or anyone with West Dunbartonshire connections to send us photographs or scans of items, photographs, documents etc that we can share online.
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE WOMEN : A new resource compiled by Florence Boyle follows the many women you made significant impacts on and contributions to West Dunbartonshire.
