Moray sites and landmarks taking part in Doors Open Day 2023

More than 20 buildings and are allowing the public inside for free on this special day.

Moray Doors Open Day is part of the Scotland-wide festival that celebrates places and stories, old and new.

Moray Council is organising the events to ensure the area’s history and heritage are accessible to all.

Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, hopes record numbers of people will explore the venues.

“Moray Doors Open Day offers locals the chance to be tourists on their own doorsteps and celebrate the stories that have shaped Moray. I see it as a chance to go behind closed doors and learn more about our history and heritage."

A tour of a 40-acre farm that's home to water buffalo, and the chance to step inside a rarely-seen abbot’s house at the 13^th century Kinloss Abbey are on the Moray Doors Open Day programme.

The schedule also includes free tours round The Macallan Estate, Covesea Lighthouse, Forres Tolbooth, and Gordon Castle Walled Garden.

And those with an interest in the history of 18^th century Scottish religion may be drawn to the Braes of Glenlivet to see behind the doors of a site that once housed a covert Roman Catholic seminary.

Built in the guise of a farmhouse in 1767, the Scalan Seminary and Mill Buildings were used to secretly train priests when Catholicism was illegal.

The remnants of the Scottish Reformation can also be experienced with a visit to Elgin’s Gothic-esque Holy Trinity Church.

Its membership survived the penal laws that outlawed Catholic worship, and a chalice in which they served their sacramental wine during those times will be on display.

Moray Doors Open Day venues are here. Some tours must be booked.

The national programme, organised by Scottish Civic Trust, is here.