The public’s first look inside a historic Perth mill for more than 20 years has been postponed due to the “rule of six” coronavirus measure.
Crowds were expected to step inside Lower City Mills for the first time in two decades this weekend as part of Doors Open Days 2020.
Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust (PKHT) moved into the water-powered building in October and had been keen to divulge the history of the mill, which spent centuries at the centre of Perth’s food production.
Organisers have been forced to push back the plans for a walking tour that would also have taken visitors along the route of the lade on either side of the mill.
The rule of six guidelines – only six people from two households can gather indoors together at any one time – have caused a host of last minute changes to the Doors Open Days in the Fair City.
A spokesperson for PKHT said: “Unfortunately, we made the tough decision on Tuesday to postpone public visitors to the Lower City Mills.
“We are going to re-schedule our mill visits and lade tours to another open weekend as soon as possible when it becomes more workable with the regulations.
“Doors Open Days festival is still going ahead, with some digital-only venues and three venues in Perth still welcoming small numbers of visitors.”
The three venues still taking booked tours for the festival are Perth Railway Boxing Club, Innerpeffrey Library and The Quarto Press but St Ninian’s Cathedral has cancelled completely.
The Railway Boxing Club, established in 1944, will be laying out the welcome mat for the first time this year, offering the opportunity to learn about over seven decades of the sport in the Fair City.
Innerpeffray Library near Crieff is Scotland’s oldest lending library and the Quarto Press in Coupar Angus will allow visitors to see with its unique collection of working antique printing presses.
Pre-booking is required for all visits, walks and some online tours at www.doorsopendays.org.uk
