News from Played in Britain

Doors Open Scotland and Open Doors Wales

September 8 2010

The Scottish Civic Trust's annual Doors Open Scotland event takes place each weekend until September 26th and includes several sports-related venues that may interest Played in Britain readers. The Civic Trust for Wales are also running a similar initiative, Open Doors Wales. Here's a round up of some places you might like to visit.

For full details on all venues see www.doorsopendays.org.uk.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road, Aberdeen

Opened in 2009 this state of the art indoor sports centre by Reiach and Hall Architects includes a full-sized indoor football pitch. Saturday September 11th 10:00-16:00

Transition Extreme, Links Road, Aberdeen

Opened in 2007 and the work of Kenny Alexander Architects, Transition Extreme is home to an Aberdeen-based charity of the same name who provide a range of sports activities for young people. Includes a skate park and climbing wall. Saturday September 11th 10:00-16:00

East Lothian

Musselburgh Links, Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road, Musselburgh

Open Day hosted by the Friends of Musselburgh Links at the new Stables Pavilion at Musselburgh Racecourse. Displays will include the history of the golf course. Sunday September 12th 12:00-16:00

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Sports Club, Belford Place, Edinburgh

Art Deco building dating from 1936 and based on a design by Sir Basil Spence. The club is home to many rackets sports and includes the UK's last doubles court and the original racket court. Saturday September 25th/Sunday September 26th 10:00-18:00

Glasgow

Arlington Baths, Arlington Street, Glasgow

Dating from 1870, Arlington Baths, as featured in Great Lengths, is home to Britain's oldest private swimming club, who this year celebrate their 140th birthday. Guided tours of the building will be available. Saturday September 18th/Sunday September 19th 10:00-16:00

The pool at the Arlington Baths Club in Glasgow

The pool at the Arlington Baths Club in Glasgow - the oldest private baths club in Britain, and possibly even the world.

Buchanan Bridge Club, Clairmont Gardens, Glasgow

Category A Victorian townhouse dating from 1857. The Buchanan Bridge Club purchased the building in 1960 and is today the largest Bridge club in Glasgow, with 300 members. Guided tours of the building and taster sessions on Bridge will be on offer. Saturday September 18th/Sunday September 19th 10:00-16:00 (Bridge sessions at 14:00 on both days)

Govanhill Baths, Calder Street, Glasgow

Designed in Edwardian Baroque style by AB MacDonald and built between 1912-1917, Govanhill Baths were the only original substantially unaltered public baths in Glasgow still in use until their closure in 2001. A red sandstone building containing three swimming pools, the largest of which features a cast iron railed spectator gallery, original tiling, poolside changing cubicles, and a glazed roof. There will be guided tours and a chance to view Nord's model of proposals for the building's restoration. For more about the history of Govanhill Baths and the local community's campaign to save it, see Great Lengths and Played in Glasgow. Saturday September 18th/Sunday September 19th 10:00-16:00

Partick Curling Clubhouse, Balshagray Avenue, Glasgow

Single-storey brick building (as featured in Played in Glasgow) dating from 1900 and built to provide private accommodation for club members and their curling equipment, adjacent to the outdoor curling rink. The club's archives, curling equipment and curling pond will be available to view. Saturday September 18th/Sunday September 19th 10:00-16:00

Partick Curling Club's clubhouse

Partick Curling Club's clubhouse, which dates from 1900, and is one of only five historic examples of curling clubhouses known in the whole of Scotland.

Inverclyde

Royal Gourock Yacht Club, Ashton, Gourock

This Arts and Craft-style yachting clubhouse was designed by Stewart, Tough and Alexander and opened in 1903. Club members will be available to act as guides and there will be displays of memorabilia in the panelled bar area. Saturday September 11th 10:00-16:00

North Lanarkshire

Finish Timing Tour, Strathclyde Country Park, Hamilton Road, Motherwell

Constructed in 1985 by John Payne for the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games and located at Strathclyde Loch Watersports Centre, the Finish Tower is the control centre for the timing of rowing regattas at Strathclyde Park. Saturday September 11th 10:30-17:00

Perth and Kinross

Kincarrathie Cricket Pavilion, Doocot Park, Perth

Constructed in 1924/5 by AK Bell to designs by Smart, Stewart and Mitchell, this Arts and Crafts-style cricket pavilion has recently undergone extensive renovation and includes a two-storey log column veranda. Saturday September 25th 10:00-16:00

The Royal Perth Golfing Society Atholl Crescent, Perth

The Royal Perth Golfing Society and Country and City Club was founded in 1824 and received royal patronage from King William IV in 1833, the first golf club to be accorded Royal patronage. The club is situated in the fine 18th century Atholl Crescent from where it overlooks the North Inch. Saturday September 25th Tours at 14:00; 14:30; 15:00; 15:30 pre-booking essential

Renfrewshire

Renfrew Xscape, King's Inch Road, Renfrew

Opened in 2006, Renfrew Xscape includes a 200m-long ski slope, rock climbing and adventure golf. Behind the scenes guided tours will be available. Saturday September 11th Tours at 12:00; 13:00; 14:00; 15:00

Scottish Borders

Laidlaw Memorial Swimming Pool, Oxnam Road, Jedburgh

Gifted to the town in 1923 by Provost John Laidlaw, the pool was extended to 25m in 1974 with a fitness suite added in 1990. In 2005 the building was taken over by a Trust on behalf of the people of Jedburgh after threat of closure, since when attendance figures have increased by 50% and opening hours have been extended. Saturday September 18th 07:00-13:00

Open Doors Wales

For full details on all venues see www.civictrustwales.org

Caernarfon

The Institute, Pavilion Hill, Caernarfon

Tours of the rooms which occupy the former public baths but which is now home to Caernarfon Royal Town Council. Tours: Monday September 13th; 20th; 27th; October 4th 10:30-11:30; 14:00-15:00

Swansea Leisure Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea

Tours of the building, rebuilt in 2008 into a 21st century waterpark. Sunday September 12th 10:30-14:30

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