Edinburgh Doors Open Days 2024
If you’re visiting Edinburgh in September, then you’ve come at just the right time. Our Summer festivals may be over, but September is when the annual Doors Open Days takes place. This has grown over the years to fill an an entire weekend, and actually spans the whole of Scotland, with all the council areas split across four different weekends. There’s an overview on the Doors Open Days website of which council is celebrating on which weekend – Edinburgh’s Doors Open Days this year fall on the weekend of 28/29 September. It’s a great opportunity to explore hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland for free, and to see behind the scenes of some places that are not usually open to the public.
We are spoilt for choice in Edinburgh this year. You can browse the full programme on the Doors Open Day Website – for the Edinburgh venues, just select “Edinburgh” under “Regions” in the drop-down menu on the left – but I’ve also picked out some of my personal favourites that I think sound good for families, some of which we’ve been to in past years. I am actually working at one of the Doors Open Day events, so obviously that’s one of my recommendations (come and say hello!), but there are lots of other amazing places that I would be taking my own kids to if I weren’t working. Note that some places are taking part on both days, others only on Saturday or Sunday, with Saturday definitely being the busier day, so choose carefully! I’ve listed them in order of starting time.
Saturday 28 September Only
Forth Road Bridges Education Centre
Sat 28 Sept, 9am – 5pm
The Education Centre will be open, featuring an exhibition about the Forth Bridges and educational activities for young people. Why not walk across the Forth Road Bridge while you’re there! We’ve done this before by taking the train to North Queensferry, walking across the Bridge, then taking the train back home from Dalmeny (South Queensferry).
The National Robotarium at Heriot Watt University
Sat 28 Sept, 9:30am – 3:30pm
“Watch live demonstrations of our quadruped robotic dogs and advanced conversational humanoid Ameca, and test your own robotics skills through hands-on activities.” My boys would love to go to this if I wasn’t working. Aged 8+ only.
Royal Lyceum Theatre
Sat 28 Sept, 10am – 4pm
“Featuring a range of drop-in activities such as crafts, costume try-ons, story sessions and a treasure hunt, this is a chance to explore our building and spend some fun, creative time together.” We went to their family day two years ago and it was brilliant! Dressing up in all the different theatre costumes was the best part.
Science Saturday with Maths Week Scotland at the National Museum of Scotland
Sat 28 Sept, 10:30am – 3:30pm
This is the event I am working at with the Maths Week Scotland team! We will have a Lego building challenge, logic puzzles and strategy games, a story corner, and some Sphero and Code-a-pillar robotos you can take for a spin. Oh, and did I mention it’s my birthday too? (not part of the event, haha) Usual disclaimer: this is not an official work post, just a personal plug to help spread the word.
Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage & McDonald Road Community Fire Station
Sat 28 Sept, 10:30am – 3:30pm
I heard this was super popular last year. There will be appliances (that’s what they call fire engines) to get up close to and inside, firefighting crew running drills, dressing up, crafts and more. Free but ticketed. The morning is already booked up, but at the time of writing there were still tickets available for 12:30pm onwards. Last entry is at 2:30pm. [EDIT 21/09/2024: Only tickets for 1:30pm still available]
Kings Buildings Campus
Sat 28 Sept, 10am – 4pm
This is a great place to head for all science nerds – different departments, including chemistry, maths, physics and astronomy, and engineering are offering a variety of activities such as demonstrations, puzzles and games, Lego, and VR headsets. This was the main thing we did at last year’s Open Days weekend and we really enjoyed it. The zoetrope and FloWave were particularly impressive.
Lothian Buses Marine Garage
Sat 28 Sept, 11am – 3pm
“To enhance the visitor experience, we will have a number of games and activities on offer…including but not exhaustive of, bouncy castles, face painting and garage displays.” – Lothian Buses is another one that’s always super popular. We’ve been before when they’ve had it at their city centre depot.
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 September
Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sept, 10am – 3:45pm
“Activities across the weekend include astronomy crafts, handling meteorites, telescope dome tours” and more. My husband took the boys here a couple years ago, and said it was really interesting. It’s ticketed, and booking up fast. [EDIT 21/09/2024: All tickets are booked up now].
Victorian Schoolroom
Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sept, 11am – 3pm
“Experience a short Victorian style lesson in the schoolroom at 11.30am and 2.30pm each day. First come basis. 20 maximum each time.” We went to this a couple of years ago and it was great fun.
Trinity House Maritime Museum
Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sept, 11am – 4pm
I shared a review Trinity House Maritime Museum earlier this year, after we visited one of their Easter holidays open days. This is a wee gem of a museum, and will have “drop in crafts and activities suitable for all ages available throughout the weekend.” This event is also part of Maths Week Scotland.
Sunday 29 September Only
National Library of Scotland (George IV Bridge Building)
Sun 29 Sept, 10am – 4pm
This is where we are heading to on the Sunday! An opportunity to “go behind the scenes at Scotland’s largest library”. Activities for families include “Be a Library Detective” and “Interactive Conservation Tour for Children”. These are free but ticketed and booking up fast. At the time of writing there were still a few tickets available.
Starbank Park
Sun 29 Sept, 12pm – 4pm
I love Starbank Park, it’s a little oasis in the north of the city. Doors Open Day activities include “Children’s crafts, Chalk Drawing, Planting Demonstration” and more.
So, anything catch your eye? Do you have some favourites you’ve been to before? Let us know where you are heading!
