12/09/2026
Three amazing, historic and less often seen buildings to explore next weekend (19th & 20th September) in Portsoy alone at the Aberdeenshire Doors Open Days 2026.
Why not follow Northeast Scotland Roadtrips trail and make a weekend of it, with a night at Glenbuchty Stopover Motorhome Aire before you spend the night with us!
https://abshirepublications.blob.core.windows.net/acblobstorage/22ce60d3-566e-442d-9292-b1631911e036/doors-open-day-2026_digital-brochure_final-2907.pdf
🚐 ABERDEENSHIRE DOORS OPEN DAYS 2026 - A TWO-DAY ROAD TRIP FOR MOTORHOMERS
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September 2026
Aberdeenshire Doors Open Days returns for another weekend of free access to historic buildings, heritage sites and places that aren't normally open to the public.
With venues spread right across the shire, I've picked out a route that works as a proper two-day road trip, rather than trying to cram everything into one weekend.
Here's a suggested route but you can select other venues according to your interests...
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🚐 SATURDAY
INVERURIE → MINTLAW → FRASERBURGH
📍 Garioch Heritage Centre, Inverurie
Explore the restored carriage and wagon workshop of the former Inverurie Locomotive Works and discover the social and industrial history of the Garioch.
📍 Aberdeenshire Museums Service Collections Centre, Mintlaw
Get behind the scenes at the Museums Service's collections centre and see some of the collections normally kept away from public view. Pre-booking is required.
📍 Museum of Scottish Lighthouses & Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse, Fraserburgh
Discover the story of Scotland's lighthouse service at the museum and Kinnaird Head, the first lighthouse on mainland Scotland.
🅿️🛏️ Overnight in Fraserburgh at Glenbuchty Stopover Motorhome Aire
🚐 SUNDAY
MACDUFF → BANFF → PORTSOY
📍 Banffshire East Church, Macduff
Visit the prominent 1805 church overlooking Macduff Harbour, with its distinctive Italianate tower and historic interior.
📍 Banff Castle Community Centre
Explore the Georgian building completed in 1750 on the site of Banff's much older medieval castle. Sunday opening is 11am-3pm.
📍 Museum of Banff
Discover Banffshire's history in the museum, founded in 1828 and described as the oldest museum in Scotland north of Perth. Sunday opening is 12 noon-4pm.
📍 The Granary, Portsoy
See inside the historic harbour building and discover more about the work of the North East Scotland Preservation Trust and the future of the harbour buildings. Open 12 noon-4pm.
📍 Portsoy Salmon Bothy
Visit the former 1834 salmon house, now a museum and community venue telling the story of Portsoy's harbours, industries and trade.
📍 Portsoy Boat Shed
See the volunteer-led work keeping traditional wooden boat-building skills alive.
🅿️🛏️ Overnight in Portsoy at Arnbath Stopover Motorhome Aire
📌 BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Doors Open Days is free, but individual venues have their own opening times and access arrangements.
The Aberdeenshire Museums Service Collections Centre at Mintlaw requires advance booking, so make sure you check the arrangements before travelling.
I'd also recommend checking the official programme immediately before setting off for any last-minute changes.
More information can be found at...
"Aberdeenshire Council - Doors Open Days" https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/built-heritage/door-open-days/
"Scottish Civic Trust - Doors Open Days 2026" https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/2026-weekends
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