Homecoming Scotland

There are hundreds of free attractions during “Homecoming Scotland 2009” (www.homecomingscotland2009.com or www.cometoscotland.com).

• Hundreds of buildings that are rarely, if ever, open to the public may be visited for free every weekend this September during “Doors Open Days” with the Scottish Civic Trust (The Tobacco Merchants House, 42 Miller St., Glasgow G1 1DT, U.K.; phone 0141 221 1466, www.doorsopendays.org.uk).

Among the offerings — Vennel (in Irvine, Ayrshire), where Robert Burns learned about “heckling” (preparing flax fibers to be spun), and Trongate 103, a 6-story contemporary art studio space in Glasgow.

• Also in September, you may join a dig for a day at one of the sites, dating from Mesolithic to early Industrial Revolution eras, being worked by the society Archaeology Scotland (www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk).

• For info on more than 300 traditional music sessions being held for free, contact the Traditional Music & Song Association of Scotland (Office G43, The Drill Hall, 30-38 Dalmeny St., Edinburgh EH6 8RG; phone +44 [0] 131 555 2224, www.tmsa.org.uk).