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General Register House in Edinburgh during Doors Open Days 2026

Edinburgh Doors Open Days 2026: Hidden Buildings Open Next Weekend

Edinburgh Doors Open Days returns on 26 and 27 September, giving the public free access to historic buildings, private spaces and usually closed-off parts of the city.

Dozens of Edinburgh venues will open their doors on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026 as part of Scotland’s annual Doors Open Days programme.

This year’s Edinburgh programme ranges from Adam Smith’s former home and Scotland’s national archives to historic churches, workshops, Leith landmarks and parts of Greyfriars Kirkyard that are normally closed to visitors. Entry is free, although advance booking is required at some locations.

What is Edinburgh Doors Open Days?

Doors Open Days gives people the chance to see inside buildings and spaces they might normally walk straight past.

The Edinburgh and East Lothian weekend is coordinated locally by the Cockburn Association, with participating venues required to offer free admission and provide something beyond their normal visitor experience, such as a tour, exhibition, demonstration or access to an unusual part of the building.

The national theme for 2026 is Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.

Here are a few of the Edinburgh highlights.

Step Inside Adam Smith’s Panmure House

Panmure House in the Old Town will open on both Saturday and Sunday.

The 1691 building was the final home of economist and philosopher Adam Smith, who lived there from 1778 until his death in 1790. It isn’t normally accessible to the public in this way.

Self-guided visits run from 10am, with final admission at 2.30pm. Advance booking is available through the venue.

See Behind the Scenes at General Register House

General Register House, opposite the Balmoral Hotel at the east end of Princes Street, opens from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 26 September.

National Records of Scotland will offer behind-the-scenes tours, access to the Robert Adam-designed Adam Dome and an introduction to researching family history through Scotland’s People.

It is also the final chance to see the For the Safety of All: Scotland’s Lighthouses exhibition, which includes archive material covering the Bell Rock lighthouse and the disappearance of the three Flannan Isles lighthouse keepers in 1900.

Tours are free. Advance booking is recommended where possible, although a limited number of walk-in spaces are expected to be available.

Enter the Normally Closed Covenanters Prison at Greyfriars

One of the more unusual openings comes at Greyfriars Kirkyard.

The Covenanters Prison area, which is normally closed to the public, will be accessible from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

No booking is required for the prison area. Greyfriars Kirk itself will also open on Sunday afternoon, with exhibitions and guided tours available inside.

More Buildings Opening Across Edinburgh

The programme stretches well beyond the Old Town.

Among the other participating venues are:

  • The Old Assembly Hall in Leith, now home to architects and heritage specialists Simpson & Brown, open on both days.
  • Out of the Blue Drill Hall, the A-listed former Royal Scots drill hall on Dalmeny Street, open on Saturday.
  • Trinity House Maritime Museum in Leith, open from 11am to 4pm on Sunday with self-guided visits and family activities. No booking is required.
  • Welby & Wright Tileworks on Morrison Street, a private working studio specialising in traditional encaustic tiles and mosaics, open on both days without advance booking.
  • Corstorphine Hill Tower, where visitors can climb the internal spiral staircase to the viewing platform, open from 2pm to 4pm on both days.

One notable change to the published programme is the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, whose Doors Open Days event on Blackford Hill has been cancelled.

Check Before You Travel

Although Doors Open Days events are free, booking arrangements and opening hours vary by building.

Some venues are drop-in, while others have limited-capacity tours or require advance reservations. Access also varies considerably in Edinburgh’s older buildings, so it’s worth checking the individual listing before travelling.

The full Edinburgh programme, including opening times, accessibility information and booking details, is available through the official Doors Open Days Edinburgh listings. View the Edinburgh Doors Open Days programme

You can also browse more upcoming things to do on the Edinburgh247 events calendar.