With over 171,000 visits and 62,800 unique visitors in 2017, Doors Open Days in Scotland, UK, proved that heritage is a relevant theme for an incredible number of Scottish citizens. In 2018, the country will reopen its historic buildings and take visitors to new heritage journeys.

Throughout the month of September, over a 1000 venues in over 30 regions of the Scotland will be open for free to tell stories of the Scottish history, culture, and tradition. The programme was launched on 13 August at Ninewells Community Garden in Dundee, with a promise of a number of new experiences.

At the opening ceremony, Susan O’Connor, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, announced that the festival will be a “fantastic opportunity for communities up and down the country to show off the best of their buildings,” while Claire Drummond, Head of Charitable Giving at Aberdeen Standard Investments, explained why this festival matters for citizens:

“Doors Open Day satisfies the curiosity – and dare I say the nosiness – in all of us...Being a free event, which truly takes place across the whole of Scotland from Gairloch to Gatehouse of Fleet, it is an excellent opportunity for families to explore what’s on their own doorsteps."

With this introduction, the stage has been set for the 2018 programme, which will bring the greatest diversity of architectural, historic, and cultural experiences. 

Doors Open Days Experiences

Photo: Moulin Kirk, Source: Wikipedia

Coinciding with Scottish Archaeology Month, Doors Open Days will put a special focus on presenting the archaeological richness or the country through various family activities and guided tours.

The University of St. Andrews in Dundee will open its Archaeology room to present its impressive Through A Glass Darkly collection that combines digital technology with experimental archaeology. The Perth & Kinross region will explore archaeology in the beautiful conservation village Moulin Kirk, where visitors will be able to learn more about the heritage of Pitlochry.

Besides archaeology, history and architecture will be in focus with events such as Crossview Studios in West Lothian and tours at the beautiful Wemyss Bay Station in Inverclyde. Various gems of both traditional and modern architecture will be accessible for free, enabling visitors to explore local landmarks.

Photo: Caird Hall, Source: Wikipedia

Like in previous years, the festival will also be marked with various concerts and theatre shows. The Auchterderran Singers will be holding a concert in the Auchterderran Church in Fife Central, while the well-known Caird Hall in Dundee will offer backstage tours. The visitors will have an opportunity to explore the place where numerous popular singers have performed and learn more about the architectural values of the building.

Families and the youngest traditionally will find a lot of interactive ways to explore heritage. Kirkcaldy Art Club in Fife Central and Prestongrange Museum in East Lothian, for example, will organise special activities for children to engage them in heritage exploration.

Providing open access to heritage for everyone, Doors Open Days are an exciting season to explore Scotland by revisiting well-known historic places or discovering new local treasures. The events are nationally coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust and the full programme can be found on the Doors Open Days website.

Featured Photo: Wemyss Bay Railway Station, Source: Wikipedia