Record number of doors set to open in Dundee this weekend
Published On Tue 15 Sep 2015 by Grant Hill
From an historic ship to the Sherriff Court, a fire station to fine art galleries, venues across Dundee will be throwing their doors open to visitors this weekend.
This year’s Doors Open Days, one of Dundee’s biggest annual community celebrations, will take place on the weekend of 19th and 20th September. Thousands of people will be allowed to access all areas at 50 buildings not normally open to the public as well as taking part in events, tours and talks for all ages.
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.
An unprecedented interest in this year’s event has been reported and, with more participating venues than ever before, a record number of visitors are expected to flock to some of the city’s most-loved buildings and discover their best-kept secrets this Saturday and Sunday.
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.
Dr Jon Urch, Public Outreach Coordinator at the University, said, “This year, more buildings across the city are opening their doors than ever before and there has been an unbelievable interest from members of the public.
“Doors Open Days is growing year-on-year and we are delighted to have over 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.
“With such a huge variety of venues taking part there is something to suit every taste and interest, and activities for children will be provided at the majority of locations. 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.
Notes to editors:
Several new venues have signed up for Doors Open Days since the programme was launched, including Broughty Ferry New Kirk, The Steeple Church, Dundee Parish Church (St Mary’s), and St Andrews Parish Church.
Dundee United FC had been scheduled to welcome visitors to Tannadice Park as part of the programme but this has been cancelled as a home game is taking place on the same weekend. The club hope to take part next year, although this will once again be fixture-dependant.
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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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