Doors Open Days Scotland

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Doors Open Days[1] provides free access to buildings not normally open to the public. Alongside Scottish Archaeology Month[2], they form Scotland's contribution to European Heritage Days. This joint initiative between the Council of Europe and the European Union aims to give people a greater understanding of each other through sharing and exploring cultural heritage. 49 countries across Europe take part annually, in September.

During Glasgow's European City of Culture celebrations, organisers ran an Open Doors event. Its popularity encouraged other areas to take part the following year and were coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust. Doors Open Days now take place throughout Scotland thanks to a dedicated team of area coordinators. These coordinators work for a mixture of organisations: local councils, civic trusts, heritage organisations and archaeological trusts.

Scotland is one of the few participating countries where events take place every weekend in September, with different areas choosing their own dates. More than 900 buildings now take part, and in 2007, over 220 000 visits were made. It is estimated that 4000 or more volunteers give their time for free to run activities and open doors for members of the public.

In 2008 there are a variety of national themes including 500 Years of Printmaking in Scotland.

Full programmed details will be available from late July at www.doorsopendays.org.uk[3]

Doors Open Days dates for 2008 will be announced shortly.


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