THE full list of Ayrshire events that will be taking place next month as part of Scotland’s annual Doors Open Days festival has been revealed.

National highlights of this year’s festival include a chance to visit the operating centre of a hydro electric scheme, a guided tour of Commonwealth war graves, and the chance to see inside several large churches.

All of this year’s Ayrshire events are being held on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 - the second of three weekends in which the Doors Open Days festival is taking place in cities, towns and villages in Scotland.

The Ayrshire programme is being arranged by volunteers from the Kyle and Carrick Civic Society and has received financial support from Destination Ayrshire to allow several venues which would normally charge for admission to open their doors to the public free of charge.

A total of 45 venues across Ayrshire are taking part in the 2022 festival, several of them participating for the first time.

Events and venues include the following in North Ayrshire:

  • A guided tour of Saltcoats themed on Captain Betsy Miller, Britain’s first female ship’s captain (book spaces on 01294 464174);
  • Guided tours of the Skelmorlie Secret Bunker (book on 07513 504115);
  • The Sea Monsters exhibition at the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine;
  • Kilwinning Abbey Church and Tower;
  • Clark Memorial Church in Largs;
  • Fairlie Parish Church;
  • St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ardrossan.

For more information and a full list of venues taking part, visit doorsopendays.org.uk.