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GLASWEGIANS are being offered the key to unlock the secret side of city life as more buildings than ever before will be thrown open for the Doors Open Day heritage festival.

The festival will be extended to seven days for the first time to mark its 19th anniversary.

The public can venture through the keyhole free of charge to more than 135 places of interest.

And the annual open weekend is preceded by five days of walks, talks, seminars, exhibitions and workshops.

Think your tenement needs some TLC? Stuck on maintaining your stained glass sashes? Then look no further than the expert workshops on the conservation of Glasgow's buildings.

"People who are regular Doors Open Day goers said they would like it to be extended," says Doors Open Day co-ordinator Rosie Elliott.

"We have absolutely stunning architecture and these events are primarily about the traditional building skills which are diminishing.

"It's very exciting work. It's just re-emphasising how amazing Glasgow is as a place to live."

More than 36,000 visits were recorded to the 124 buildings included in the 2007 programme.

Taking place from September 15 until 21, Doors Open Day 2008 has the most extensive programme to date and will also feature a series of more than 30 guided walks.

Doors Open is all about celebrating our built environment and visiting places normally hidden to the public.

Highlights from this year's programme include a return of the Govanhill baths which closed in 2001, plus tours of former Glasgow Corporation stables that shed a different perspective on multi-storey car parks.

"The Bell Street stables are one of the more bizarre inclusions," says Rosie.

"It's seen by tour only and it's basically a multi-storey horse park linked by ramps over three floors."

Events for families involve getting messy in a lime mortar demonstration, a vintage bus tour of Easterhouse, plus an urban safari around Glasgow's animal sculptures, led by Ronnie Scott.

Meanwhile, Visual Statement dance company will perform an excerpt from their ballet, Bird Bell Fish Tree, on the lawns of the A-listed Provan Hall in Easterhouse.

Doors Open favourites also make a welcome return to the programme for the open weekend of September 20-21, with schools, visitor attractions, churches, mosques and synagogues throwing open their doors.

Time-served venues in the programme include the City Chambers, Victorian music hall Britannia Panopticon, Glasgow Buddhist Centre, Glasgow Sheriff Court, the Citizens Theatre and the headquarters of both Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.

It's also a chance to go behind the scenes for a tour of media centres in Pacific Quay, including stv, BBC Scotland and XFM studios.

Art deco skyscraper The Beresford is also open for tours, while visitors can take in the stately offices of Clydeport, with its French walnut panelling, then witness the hive of activity that is Traffcom, Glasgow's traffic control centre.

It's also a chance to check out St Andrew's in the Square, or take a bus out to B-listed Georgian stable block Castlemilk Stables and Carmunnock village.

The Evening Times is media partner of the festival, which also has support from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

Glasgow Building Preservation Trust organises the annual Doors Open Day programme with the city the first in Scotland to adopt the annual European-wide initiative.

The charity has helped save and restore the Tobacco Merchant's House, Castlemilk Stables, St Andrew's in the Square, and is currently working on repairs to Provan Hall and establishing a new use for Gartnavel Royal Hospital Chapel as a cancer support centre.

The trust estimates there are more than 140 important buildings in Glasgow in need of attention.

"I think people take the built environment for granted," says Rosie. "Doors Open Day gives people a licence to access places that they wouldn't necessarily go.

"It's free, people look forward to it and it creates a lot of pride in the city."

Visit www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com or download a brochure at eveningtimes.co.uk

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Discover the city's secrets

Kingston Bridge

Virtual Tour

Over 150,000 vehicles use Europe's busiest road bridge every day. Amey engineer Stephen McGuigan takes audiences on a journey inside the bridge. Booking required.

September 18, 7-8.30pm. Held at 54 Bell Street.

Bell Street Stables

Take a guided walk around the C-listed multi-storey stables. Tim Gilligan leads the tour of the building. Booking required.

September 15-17, 5.30-6.15pm & 6.30-7.15pm.

Maintaining Fame - a tenement workshop

Annie Flint and John Gilbert talk about maintaining and repairing tenements, construction techniques, repair problems and what powers there are to help tenement owners.

September 18, 3.15pm-4.45pm. Held at Hutcheson's Hall, Ingram Street.

Mackintosh's Leaded Glass Doors

Marie Stumpff and Alison Brown investigate the design, making and conservation of the spectacular doors for the Salon de Luxe. Booking recommended.

September 18, 1-1.45pm. Held at Willow Tea Rooms, Sauchiehall Street.

Canal Boat Trips

Meander from Speirs Wharf to Maryhill on the Lazy Swan' or the Duckling' in a trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal. Booking required.

September 20, Sat 10am-4pm. West Lock at Speirs Wharf.

Govanhill Baths

The Calder Street pool closed to the public in 2001, but the Edwardian baths will be reopen to allow visitors to admire its architecture.

September 21, 10am-4pm.

Glasgow's (Animal) Magic

Ronnie Scott leads an urban safari for young explorers and their parents. Check out the city's stone and bronze animals in this new city tour. Booking required.

September 20, 11am.

Traffcom

Take a peek inside the control centre for the city's buzzing transport system. Staff will give guided tours and talks. Booking required.

September 20-21, 10am-4pm at 32 Elmbank Street.

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Visit the music hall that once played host to Stan Laurel and Cary Grant. From Tuesday 16 until Sunday 21 there will be an exhibition of period costumes, including some worn by performers.

September 16-21, times vary, 113-117 Trongate.

Glasgow Sheriff Court

Guided tours of the courtrooms and cells of one of the busiest courts in Europe. Booking advised.

September 20, 10am-4pm at 1 Carlton Place.

Bookings can be made for most events at www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com or by calling 0141 221 6061.