Doors Open Days 2019 - Weekend 3
Doors Open Days weekend 3 has loads of interesting sites to explore! Check out some highlights that we've picked out below.
Weekend 3
14th & 15th September
Aberdeenshire • Angus • Dundee • East Renfrewshire • Falkirk • Fife West • Highland - Caithness • Midlothian • Perth City • Scottish Borders - Hawick (Saturday only) • Stirling • West Dunbartonshire (Saturday only) • West Lothian
** Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd September**
Glasgow
GREENHILL FISH MARKET (Aberdeenshire)
Open for Doors Open Days on Saturday 14 September, 10am-4pm.
Peterhead Ports Greenhill Fish Market is the premier white fish landing port in Europe. The Fish Market has a capacity of 10,000 boxes and since opening last year, the fish market has achieved two accreditations BRC (AA) standard and also the Responsible Fishing Ports standard.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Aberdeenshire, click here.
MORTUARY CHAPEL (Angus)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September, 12pm-4pm.
The Mortuary Chapel was designed by Patrick Allan-Fraser as a memorial to his late wife Elizabeth and her deceased parents John Fraser and Elizabeth Parrot Fraser. Work began in 1875 based on an outline plan by Allan-Fraser to which he added details as building progressed.
Everyone who visits quickly realises that this is a remarkable building, possibly the most unusual and most instantly appealing of the many fine buildings within Arbroath. However, it is also very important on a national scale. It could claim to be one of the best buildings of its date in Scotland.
The building is also notable for its eclectic mix of styles, including reference to Scottish, English and possibly other precedents from East European Gothic. Every part of the building is important because every part received great care in design.
image (c) www.scran.ac.uk
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Angus, click here.
DUNDEE SHERIFF & JP COURT (Dundee)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September, 10:30am-3pm. Tours every 20 minutes from 11am.
Dundee Sheriff Court building is an imposing listed building designed in 1833 by Edinburgh architect George Angus and completed in 1863 by William Scott. It was extensively renovated in 1996 and officially opened by the Princess Royal in 1997.
This year, guided tours of the building will take in the historic Court 1, meet custody officers in the court cells and an opportunity for children to try on wigs and gowns, and sit on the bench.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Dundee, click here.
KARIN HEPBURN - ARTIST STUDIO (East Renfrewshire)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September, 10am-5pm & Sunday 15 September, 12pm-5pm.
Born in Glasgow, Karin Hepburn trained at Glasgow School of Art in the early 90’s. Karin has taught Art & Design to children and adults over the last twenty years as well as focusing her paintings on Scottish landmarks and places of sentimental interest. Karin has a wide selection of limited edition Giclee prints, some capturing magical fragments of her home city. These have become sought after both locally and internationally.
This year Karin is delighted to participate in the Doors Open Days Festival, having just returned from Pittenweem Arts Festival after exhibiting for the first time. Please pop in to see Karin's latest collection of original paintings and prints. All work is for sale. Light refreshments will be available.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in East Renfrewshire, click here.
FALKRIK STEEPLE (Falkirk)
Open for Doors Open Days on Satruday 14 September, 10am-4:30pm & Sunday 15 September, 12:30pm-4:30pm.
Completed in 1814 according to designs by David Hamilton of Glasgow the Steeple is the iconic landmark of the town. 140ft tall, it has four stages – the bottom being severe Florentine; the second Greek Doric; the third or clock chamber Italianate; and the belfry Ionic. It was constructed to house the town’s bell and clock, as well as containing temporary lockups. The design was a reflection of civic pride. The original Steeple on the site was erected in 1697 and was the first building to be owned by the Stentmasters – the precursor of the town council. An exhibition on the history of the Steeple has just been installed by the Falkirk Local History Society, which is the host for this occasion.
During this weekend there will be an opportunity to inspect the two prison cells (lockups). These retain their original reinforced doors and traces of the iron cladding of both the ceilings and the floors. People had escaped from the previous tolbooth, but this was not going to happen here!
Please note that access is to the first and second floors of the building only by a small spiral staircase. You will need to be able to ascend and descend the stairs. We reserve the right to refuse access in reasonable circumstances.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Falkirk, click here.
NORTH QUEENSFERRY LIGHT TOWER (Fife West)
Open for Doors Open Days on Sunday 15 September, 10am-4pm.
The Light Tower was built in 1817 by the famous lighthouse engineer Robert Stevenson. After restoration, and now managed by the NQHT, the tower has reopened on the old Town Pier. Located right alongside the light tower is our Forth Bridge & Light Tower mini-museum.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Fife West, click here.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Highland - Caithness)
Open for Doors Open Days on Saturday 14 September. Only access to site is on guided tours offered on the hour and half hour from 10am to 1:30pm.
Built around 1870 as the West Public Primary School, this building on Castle Street has remained a seat of learning to the present day. In the latter part of the 20th Century it changed use from a primary school to becoming an annexe for the North Highland College (NHC) (then known as Thurso Technical College), teaching a variety of skills including joinery. With the development of the NHC site at Ormlie road to host these courses the building entered into the latest phase of its history.
It became the Environmental Research Institute (ERI), formally opened by Jamie Stone MP (then MSP) on 9th May 2000. The ERI has grown from just a handful of staff and students to around 35, with a core of 20 staff and PhD students still based at the Castle Street site. The two large office spaces, a conference room, and three large laboratories - hosting a range of state of the art analytical instruments, allow us to learn more about how we can look after and benefit from the local environment.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Highland - Caithness, click here.
THISTLE MODELMAKERS (Midlothian)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September & Sunday 15 September, 10am-4pm.
Thistle Modelmakers are a small group of railway modellers based in Mayfield, Dalkeith,who design and make exhibition layouts. Visitors will be able to see some of their layouts from around the world and enjoy demonstrations throughout the day. Perfect for any train enthusiast!
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Midlothian, click here.
PERTH SUBUD CENTRE (Perth)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September, 10am-4pm & Sunday 15 September, 11am-4pm.
An excellent early 19th century villa, overlooking Perth’s South Inch and retaining many decorative features, including plasterwork, joinery and an open-well staircase.
Drop in for a brief guided tour and stay to enjoy our fine art and ceramics exhibition, poem readings, information on Subud and Susila Dharma, live music, refreshments and a seminar on traditional tenement maintenance.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Perth, click here.
STOBS CAMP (Scottish Borders - Hawick)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September. Booking is essential - only access to site is during guided tour at 9:30am. For booking, please contact Andy Jepson at 07899804536 or a.jepson@archaeologyscotland.org.uk.
Walking tour to see some of the key areas of the First World War training & internment camp including parts of the British Guard camp, a spectacular view of the prisoner of war camp and the re-instated memorial in the former cemetery
Due to available parking numbers are limited for this tour to a maximum of 30 visitors. Car sharing is advised where possible.The tour takes place outdoors and at times entails walking over uneven ground. Stout footwear and outdoor clothing is advised.
Stobs Camps is also featured on our Cultural Embassies map, a project that the Scottish Civic Trust has created for the 30th anniversary of Doors Open Days. The Cultural Embassies project charted the connections between 27 European member states and Scotland. See a copy of the brochure here.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Scottish Borders - Hawick, click here.
CYCLE TOUR (Stirling)
Part of Doors Open Days on Saturday 14 September, 1pm-4pm. Booking essential - click here. Be sure to book the 14th September Event.
Come and join us on a guided tour to experience Stirling and Bridge of Allan by bicycle! In association with Cycling UK' Big Bike Revival, the Stirling Society of Architects have partnered with Active Travel Hub to present a guided ride to promote architecture, the built environment and sustainable methods of transport.
This Saturday, the RIAS and SSA have organised a unique event as part of the Doors Open Day’s Weekend in Stirling. It is leaving promptly at 1pm from Stirling's Active Travel Hub, which is situated next to the Station. There will be time to have your bike checked over to see if its roadworthy and time for a rider briefing. We will then head off for a tour of various venues included within Stirling Doors Open Day's. The 10 mile ride will take approximately 3.5 hours and will be at a very leisurely pace. It will include 6 stops at DOD venues and a stop for a well earned coffee.
Riders must be 16 and over, be aware of the highway code and know how to ride confidently on the public highways. The ride will be led by qualified Ride Leaders, who will be there for assistance and rider safety. The event is ticketed to ensure we are not oversubscribed. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure for a rider briefing and bike safety check. Helmets are essential and bikes can be borrowed by emailing stirlingath@forthenvironmentlink.org or hiring a Next Bike who have stations located all over Stirling.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in Stirling, click here.
THE MAID OF THE LOCH PADDLE STEAMER (West Dunbartonshire)
Open for Doors Open Days Saturday 14 September, 10am-4pm.
How to get there : Pier Road or Ben Lomond Way near Lomond Shores - Balloch Station. Loch Lomond's Paddle Steamer on Loch Lomond, at Balloch Pier.
Open to the public as a family-friendly historic visitor attraction and as a unique venue for events and functions.
PS Maid of the Loch is the last of a long line of Loch Lomond steamers that began about 1816. She was built by A. & J. Inglis of Glasgow launched on Thursday 5 March 1953. She is a "knock down" ship: that is, after assembly at the shipyard she was dismantled, and shipped to the loch by rail to Balloch where her sections were reassembled on a purpose built slipway.
Her two-cylinder compound diagonal steam engine is less advanced than had become usual on steamers such as the P.S.Waverley, but was considered suitable for the limited area of operations.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in West Dunbartonshire, click here.
LINLITHGOW CANAL CENTRE (West Lothian)
Open for Doors Open Days on Saturday 14 September & Sunday 15 September, 1:30pm-4:30pm.
This is an opportunity to visit the Canal Museum, tearoom, yard and wharf, also the workshop of the Linlithgow Union Canal Society and the Mel Gray Education Centre.
A visit to Linlithgow Canal Centre (Category C Listed) recalls the heyday of the Union waterway (Edinburgh-Falkirk), when it was not yet challenged by the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway (1842). The Canal Centre is a simple vernacular building, originally two stables at the east end and two cottages at the west end, and is an important surviving part of the infrastructure of Scotland's last major canal.
To find out what other buildings will be open during Doors Open Days in West Lothian, click here.
YOUNG ADVISORY PANEL
Through funding from Year of Young People National Lottery Fund, we assembled a panel of young people to provide their perspective on their location's festival this year. The YAP team have been tasked with creating print and video guides to their location.
Whose guide will you need this weekend?
STIRLING - The YAP member for Stirling is Rachel. In her guide, Rachel has decided to feature venues that are all just a few minutes walk from each other, ensuring you get the most out of your visit!
GLASGOW - The YAP member for Glasgow is Sophie. In her guide, Sophie highlights makers, artists and creators in Glasgow's programme.
Click here to see the guides & video highlights!
TOURS IN TRANSLATION
We’re delighted to be making the stunning Glasgow City Chambers even more accessible and inclusive through multi-language tours as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days this year.
We'll be offering tours in Polish and Farsi. The Polish-language tours will be delivered by members of the Sikorski Society on Monday 16 September at 11.30 and 15.30 and can be booked here. The Farsi-language tours will be delivered by volunteers recruited from the Scottish Refugee Council on Tuesday 17 September at 11.30 and 15.30 and can be booked here.
TENEMENTS TODAY | TENEMENTS TOMORROW
We’re also hosting a national conference on the bigger issues relating to tenements on 18 September in Glasgow’s The Lighthouse, in collaboration with Built Environment Forum Scotland and Under One Roof. We’ll be talking about sinking funds, owners’ associations and social investment, as well as looking at international best practice over the course of the day. We’ll be reflecting on the social impact of poor tenement maintenance through owners’ testimonies and artwork produced by Glasgow artist Mitch Miller in an accompanying exhibition.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The full agenda is available here.
SCULPTOURS
We’ve teamed up with Sculpture Placement Group to find new homes for sculptures by artists working in Scotland.
Our focus this year is on adoptions into venues in Glasgow's Doors Open Days programme, reflecting the fact that Glasgow was where Doors Open Days was first delivered 30 years ago. There are some venues outside of Glasgow too! click here to see the map of adoptions that you can visit.
These adoptions will remain in place for at least a year, and a talk or workshop will be programmed with each building's community, for those placed in Glasgow.
We love hearing all about your Doors Open Days experiences on social media. Please share any photos with us by using our hashtags #DODscot and #DODscot30. We might even feature you on our feed!