Courts join in "Doors Open Day" programme
Thirteen courts across Scotland will hold special events for the benefit of the public as they join in the annual Doors Open Day scheme.
Organised by the Scottish Civic Trust, Doors Open Day enables people to visit hundreds of buildings normally closed to the public. It features different towns and cities on different days in September.
The 13 courts taking part will be staging mock trials, holding tours, opening the doors on custody vans, and putting robes, maces and gowns on display at some of the events being held. In Kirkcaldy, visitors will be able to see a demonstration videoconference link to Perth Prison.
Courts taking part are the sheriff courts in Aberdeen, Ayr, Elgin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Hamilton, Kirkcaldy, Paisley and Stirling, along with the Supreme Courts in Parliament House, Edinburgh and the High Court in Glasgow.
One highlight will be a re-enactment of the famous Madeleine Smith murder trial, which will be staged in Parliament House, Edinburgh, on 24 September. Glasgow-born Madeleine Smith was accused of the murder of her lover by poisoning him in 1857 and her subsequent trial caused a sensation.