Part of the Scotland-wide Doors Open Days Programme 2026, Doors Open Day Ayrshire takes place over the weekend of 12 – 13 September. Now in its 37th year and organised by Kyle & Carrick Civic Society, it’s a superb opportunity to visit historical, creative, cultural and religious venues across South Ayrshire. Entry to all venues is free, but booking is required for some. Which doors will you open this year?
Group guided tours will offer insights into the history of the building and various historical items, including the Bronze Age funerary urn and the Covenanters’ Flag, as well as items from the Local History Collection. Tours start at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, taking around an hour. Numbers are limited and booking required. There’s also the option of a shorter, self guided tour.
Access from Fort Street only behind the Grammar School.
Join a guided tour of South Ayrshire Council’s main Fine Art & Museum store, where cultural treasures are housed. The collections include textiles, social history, fossils, art, archaeology, natural history and much more. Tours start both days at 10am, 12pm and 2pm and last around 90 minutes. Tours are limited to 6 people and booking is required. There’s no seating available so a relative degree of fitness is recommended.
Join a guided tour of Rozelle House and The Maclaurin Art Gallery, including the museum store and featuring the final weekend of the Frances Walker and Ade Adesina exhibition, part of the Royal Scottish Academy 200 in 2026 programme.
Tours
Tours start at 10am, 12pm and 2pm on the Saturday, and at 12pm and 2pm on the Sunday. Tours are limited to 6 people and booking is required. Drop in anytime to view the exhibition.
Join a Tour and Talk of Girvan’s cultural hub and discover its permanent display of artefacts highlighting the town’s heritage, along with a behind the scenes look at some objects from the Girvan collection.
Talks start at 11am, 1pm and 3pm each day and are limited to 6 per tour. Booking is required.
Explore this landmark town centre venue, with its 225 feet high steeple and Lewis pipe organ dating from 1904. Step inside the creepy police cells – cell tours start on the Saturday at 12noon, 1pm, 1.30 pm and 2pm; and on the Sunday at 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm. No booking required but maximum numbers apply, so come early to avoid disappointment. (Please note wheelchair access is not available to the cells, but is available to all other areas.)
The Open Studios Ayrshire weekend coincides with Doors Open Days Ayrshire, with opportunities to see inside venues displaying work for sale by members of the collective founded in 2012, including:
The Crafty Coo, 72 Sandgate, Ayr KA7 1BX
The Wee School Art Space, Henrietta Stret, Girvan, KA26 9AL
Both venues open Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Around Ayrshire, 24 further artists’ studios will be open over the weekend 11 – 13 September. Many members are exhibiting in group venues, and some are hosting in their home studios. This is a great opportunity to meet the talented artists and makers from around Ayrshire. Some will be giving demonstrations so you can see the hard work and love that goes into every creation!
For more details, visit www.openstudiosayrshire.com
To keep up to date with news of the venues and links to other social media and websites, visit the Doors Open Days Facebook page and the Scottish Civic Trust website.
Copyright © 2026 Destination South Ayrshire. Provided by South Ayrshire Council.
