Barrhead Men’s Shed is one of various spaces in East Renfrewshire which is offering residents an inside look this weekend.

The peak behind the scenes is part of Doors Open Days, Scotland’s largest free festival, which celebrates places and stories, new and old.

Among the other places holding events are Whitelee Visitor Centre, Karin Hepburn Studios, Eaglesham Parish Church and the Carswell Centre, Newton Mearns Parish Church, and Cathcart Cemetery.

Jacqui Fernie, who is coordinating the programme locally, told the Barrhead News: “It is the first Doors Open event we have had since before Covid, so it’s been three years since it was last in East Renfrewshire.

“It is an opportunity for people to come and visit somewhere they might not have visited before.

“One of the things I am looking forward to seeing is Karin, a local artist who is opening her home up to show her work.

“I’m the co-chair of Friends of Cathcart Cemetery and we’ll be offering a tour of the cemetery as well.

“There are probably 60,000 people buried there including famous footballers, Stan Laurel’s mum and a suffragette, so there are some really interesting stories.”

Jacqui is also excited that people will have the chance to see the “wonderful space” at the Men’s Shed, based in Robertson Street, when it opens its doors between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

The organisation has a well-equipped woodworking workshop, a rest room where members can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a chat and one of the many books and magazines on offer, and a model-making area.

There will be guides available on the day to show visitors around the premises and what they offer in terms of hobbies, model-making and woodworking.

There will also be items which members have made on show, and a large, operational model train set.

It is hoped the insight, will encourage more men to get involved.

Robert Humphrey, the men’s shed’s secretary, said: “Apart from during lockdown, we have been taking part in Doors Open Days for a number of years now.

“Some people who have come along have actually joined us because they like what we are doing and we are usually quite busy.”