14 September 2011

Doors Open Days in Dundee - Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September

From theatres to churches, museums to yacht clubs, castles to pubs, many of Dundee’s best-known buildings will this weekend play host to special events celebrating Doors Open Days 2011.

Buildings all over Dundee will open their doors on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September, giving members of the public a chance to step behind the scenes and find out about their hidden history.

The University of Dundee opens its doors to University House for the first time, whilst guided tours of campus buildings, the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum, Hawkhill House, and the University Archives will take place.

The famous Speedwell Bar, better known to generations of Dundonians as 'Mennies' will share stories from its long history as a public bar, and Andrew Carnegie will be reincarnated by a costumed guide for the Centenary Celebrations of the Barrack Street Collections Unit.

Among the other events taking part across the city are:

• Tours of Verdant Works.
• The chance to go on the set of Dundee Rep’s latest show ‘Rock Around The Clock’.
• Guided tours of Claypotts Castle by pupils of the local primary school.
• The opening of many of Dundee’s historic and architecturally beautiful places of worship, including: Murroes Church, Broughty Ferry New Kirk, Central Baptist Church, Dundee Parish Church, Meadowside St Paul's Church & Halls, St Salvador's Episcopal Church, and Dundee Central Mosque.
• The opportunity to discover the variety of records held in the City Archives reflecting the many aspects of the history of Dundee.
• A tour of Royal Tay Yacht Club, the summer house of the instigator of the Dundee jute industry and one of the first grand houses in Broughty Ferry to enjoy a spectacular view of the Tay.

'There are many fascinating building in Dundee that people take for granted but do not know the history of, said Dr Jon Urch, Public Outreach Coordinator at the University of Dundee, who are organising the city’s Doors Open Days events.

'From the chance to see where world-leading research takes place at the University of Dundee to the opportunity to see how Dundee Rep hosts shows, the many historically interesting tours on offer to a pint in Mennies, there is something for everyone.

'Previous Doors Open Days have been a great success, and I’m sure hundreds of people will once again take the opportunity to visit some of Dundee’s most interesting buildings. We are very proud of our city and hope as many people as possible take the opportunity to explore it this weekend.'

Doors Open Days take place throughout Scotland every September and are part of European Heritage Days. Find out more at www.doorsopendays.org.uk

Dr Jon Urch and the organisers at each venue will be available for interview. For further information please contact Dr Jon Urch on 01382 386669 or j.urch@dundee.ac.uk, or Dr Helen-Louise Murphy on 01382 386660 (Mon-Fri), 07859 323263 (Sat and Sun).

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