Buildings to open up their doors for rare peek

Buildings in Moray that are ordinarily sealed off from everyday eyes throughout the year are poised to welcome hundreds of visitors tomorrow.

More than a dozen attractions are part of the region’s Doors Open Day to showcase the areas hidden from ordinary public use.

Included in the lineup is a sneak peek at work under way at Burgie Arboretum – which includes gardens zoned to geographic regions across the world including Asia and South America – and a tour through the storeroom

“Austin’s Tea Rooms in Elgin will be recreated”

at the Falconer Museum to look at items not on public display.

Meanwhile, the historic atmosphere of the much-loved Austin’s Tea Rooms in Elgin will be recreated in the same building that hosted the popular meeting place until it closed more than 50 years ago.

Crisp linen tablecloths and fine silver cutlery will be looked out for a heritage coffee morning in the Academy Street building which still has its original art nouveau features.

For the first time, heritage enthusiasts will also be led on historical walks through Elgin, Burghead and Lossiemouth to delve into the communities’ past.

However, modern attractions have also been included in the programme in the shape of Forres-based AES Solar, which manufactures solar panels.

More than 100 volunteers are expected to be on duty at the weekend to welcome visitors for a tour behind the scenes.

More information is available at www.doors opendays.org.uk