Glasgow and East Ren say come on in

The weekend event, running Saturday and Sunday (September 7-8), offers the public a chance to visit buildings which are normally closed - for free, no less.

There are guided tours, exhibitions and more on at a long list of East Ren spaces, including Eaglesham and Williamwood parish churches, Clarkston community fire station, Greenbank House, Cathcart cemetery, Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation Synagogue and the new Eastwood high school.

East Renfrewshire council’s environment convener, Vincent Waters, said: “The ever popular Doors Open Days are a rare opportunity to look around some buildings otherwise not open to the public.

“We have some splendid old churches that are well worth a visit. And for something a little different you can take a guided walk around Cathcart cemetery to see gothic tombs, Egyptian temples and Greek, Romanesque and art nouveau designs.

“You will be guaranteed an interesting and educational day out.”

For full event listings, visit www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/dod.

The event, co-ordinated nationwide by the Scottish Civic Trust, comes to Glasgow later in the month, on September 16-22.

Events are free, but booking is advisable for the more popular attractions, including a peek at the 2014 Commonwealth Games athletes’ village, behind the scenes tours at the Theatre Royal and the King’s, never-before seen nooks and crannies at Central station and a tour of Glasgow’s high court.

Here in the southside, there are plenty of doors open to culture vultures, including the Citz, the Burrell Collection, Hampden Park and the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.

The Glasgow event recorded over 80,000 visits last year, and boasts 100 venues taking part for 2013.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Glasgow city council leader, commented: “The themes of this year’s event celebrate both the rich history and exciting future of Glasgow’s build heritage - there are many discoveries to be made.”

For more info, visit glasgowdoorsopenday.com/programme.