Trip down memory lane for kirk visitors
Church is part of Doors Open Day
A historic Blantyre church is set to open its doors to the public this weekend.
Blantyre Old Parish Church is taking part in the Doors Open Day event in South Lanarkshire on Saturday, September 30.
The church will be open from 10am-5pm with history displays reflecting the church’s 450 years.
The Reverend Sarah Ross said: “Our resident historian Gordon Cook, along with passionate members of Blantyre Old, have gathered a wealth of material that brings the Reformation to life, as well as photographs showing how Blantyre has grown and developed.
“We have collected stories of families connected the church over the generations and there will be some displays to share more recent history as well.
“Not only is the building beautiful with its detailed rose window, the font bowl from the baptism of David Livingstone and its peaceful atmosphere, there will be opportunities to imagine how church was in the past. A real trip down memory lane.”
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment. It offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country throughout September, every year.
The aim of Doors Open Days is to ensure that Scotland’s built heritage, new and old, is made accessible to people living and visiting the country on weekends in September.
It is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust and is part of European Heritage Days along side Scottish Archaeology Month, coordinated by Archaeology Scotland (formerly known as the Council for Scottish Archaeology). Both are supported by Historic Environment Scotland.
Blantyre Old Parish Church will continue with their birthday celebrations by hosting a family ceilidh on Saturday, October 14.
As part of their 450th celebrations the Adrian Hannah and family ceilidh band will entertain.
Tickets are £2.50 for adults and it is free for church with tickets available from the church.