Dundee’s buildings set to open their doors once again

Published On Thu 9 Jul 2015 by Grant Hill

The programme for this year’s Doors Open Days, one of Dundee’s biggest annual community celebrations, will be launched in the city next week.

Doors Open Days 2015 takes place on the weekend of 19th and 20th September. Thousands of people will be allowed to access all areas at a record 50 buildings not normally open to the public as well as taking part in events, tours and talks for all ages.

Initiative partners will meet at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum on Monday, 13th July to launch this year’s programme. The McManus and Blackness Fire Station are both participating venues and firefighters will bring one of their appliances to the launch.

Dundee United’s Tannadice Park, Dundee Sheriff Court and HM Frigate Unicorn are among the venues taking part in Doors Open Days for the first time, while places of worship, theatres, art centres and community centres are other buildings that will welcome the public.

Doors Open Days in Dundee is organised by the University of Dundee’s public outreach team, and nine buildings across campus will welcome visitors as part of the programme, including the Botanic Gardens and LifeSpace Gallery.

Public Engagement Co-ordinator Dr Jon Urch said, “Doors Open Days is growing year-on-year and we are delighted to have a record 50 venues participating this year. Twenty of this year’s venues are new to the programme so people from Dundee and visitors to the city will be able to visit more buildings than ever.

“Most buildings will be laying on activities for children and there is something to suit every taste and interest. Some of the tours fill up quickly so it is advisable to book in advance.”

Doors Open Days gives people free access to buildings they normally wouldn’t visit as well as special events at public buildings and celebrates architecture in all its forms - from the very ancient to ultra-modern, well-loved to little-known.

Doors Open Days is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust. It runs throughout Scotland every September as part of European Heritage Days. For more information visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk or www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277