Buzzard Engine, courtesy of the Scottish Maritime Museum

The Heritage Lottery Fund is marking the organisation’s half billion pound investment in 2500 projects across Scotland with a Heritage Weekend running from September 20-21 2008.

The Heritage Weekend takes place during Scotland's month-long heritage initiative, Doors Open Days, sponsored by Historic Scotland during which many sites all over the country are open to the public, free of charge. Visitors to these sites will also be able to enjoy special events and promotions.

Head of the HLF in Scotland, Colin McLean said: "This is a really exciting initiative for us and we have been delighted by the number of HLF-funded projects taking part."

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is the only funding body that is involved in opening up every aspect of our heritage from fine arts and castles, countryside and animals, industries and historic towns to our language, traditions and songs so that everyone can enjoy them. With such variety, there will be something for everyone to enjoy."

Wade's Tay Bridge, Aberfeldy, courtesy of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust

Highlights of the Heritage Weekend include:

Free entry to Burns Cottage Museum Alloway.

Birth place of famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, Burns cottage was built in 1757 and is situated in the picturesque Burns National Heritage Park in Alloway. Visitors are invited to enjoy the cottage’s audio-visual presentations and its museum, where the original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne is on display.

Guided walk/bus tour of Wade’s road and bridges in Perth and Kinross (pre-booking essential)

A great family day out, the tour starts at 10am and goes on until 4pm taking in the Wade’s famous Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy, and many other sites in this beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands.

Free admission to the Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine

Visitors can take part in remote control boat racing and see the seaworthy vessel built on the Clyde, a kyles boat first launch in 1872. Especially for this weekend, the volunteers who work with the museum will be demonstrating steam engines they built and answering questions about how they work.

Free admission to the Scottish Railway Exhibition at Boness with access to the restored Inter City Diesel Multiple Unit

The Scottish Railway Exhibition in Boness, is a hands on exhibit where visitors can have a go at signalling and even enter some of the displays. Trains from as early as 1862 can be viewed as can the latest addition to the exhibit a fully restored 1960s Inter City Diesel Multiple Unit.

To find out what’s on in your area see the HLF website For more information on the month-long Doors Open Days initiative see www.doorsopendays.org.uk.