Some of Ayrshire most splendid buildings will be welcoming the public inside for this year's Doors Open Days next month.

Throughout Scotland, hundreds of buildings are open free for visitors to take a look inside this September. 

In Ayrshire, it is co-ordinated by volunteers from Kyle and Carrick Civic Society, who first pioneered the event with Glasgow from 35 years ago in 1990.

There are now brochures in all Ayrshire libraries showing details of days and times when the venues plan to be open over the weekend of Saturday, September 14 and Sunday 15.

Some venues, where space is limited, will need booking.

One venue is opening over the weekend of Saturday, August 31 and Sunday September 1. Auchinleck House is regarded as one of the finest rescues of a category-A listed building from a ruin, and now a successful holiday let that sleeps 13.

The Fenwick skylineThe Fenwick skyline (Image: Kyle and Carrick Civic Society)

In East, North and South Ayrshire there are towers offering magnificent panoramic views on a good day:  the National Burns Memorial Tower, Mauchline; Kilwinning Abbey Tower Heritage Centre; and the Tower of St John the Baptist, Ayr.  Watch out for banners, balloons and bunting.

There are also three guided walks in Ayr led by Commonwealth War Graves Commission Guide, Ken Nairn: Saturday, September 14 - Remembering Auld Ayr Town Centre Walk (meet at the Cutty-Sark Centre at 2.30pm); Sunday, September 15 - Holmston Cemetery D-Day and Beyond (meet at Holmston Cemetery Gates at 2.30pm); and Tuesday, September 17 - Wallacetown & The Secessionist Cemeteries (meet at Entrance in Russell Street at 6.30pm).

This event is free and for all the family who take an interest in the local history of where they live.

There will be stories of The Killing Times in Fenwick, costumes from the 1960s and 1970s in Saltcoats, and the 19 underground cells at Ayr Town Hall - something for everyone, so get out and about this year.