Cabinet Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop,
has launched the September 2011 national Doors Open Days programme
at the recently opened refurbished Linlithgow Burgh Halls. Doors
Open Days, which turns 21 this year, is the biggest celebration of
Scotland's buildings, places and spaces. The event gives free
access to buildings normally closed to the public or which usually
charge an entrance fee.
It is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust with
support from Historic Scotland, EventScotland and sponsorship from
Aberdeen Asset Management. The event takes place every September,
along with Scottish Archaeology Month coordinated by Archaeology
Scotland, as part of European Heritage Days which sees millions of
visitors in 50 countries explore a wide range of sites.
Civic societies, local authorities, heritage and building
preservation trusts act as area coordinators, and are supported by
many volunteers numbering over 5,500 at last count. Volunteers gave
up the equivalent of 18 working years without a holiday to organise
events last year! The economic impact of the event is similarly
impressive with an estimated £25 million generated for the Scottish
economy over the event's lifetime.
Doors Open Days provides many unique experiences for visitors.
This year highlights include: Loch Sloy Hydroelectric Power Station
on the banks of Loch Lomond, open for the first time to the public
since its creation in 1950; one of the iconic Red Road Community
Flats in Glasgow, soon to be demolished; and Holmston House in Ayr
where 4 artists have been given free rein to transform 10 rooms
with the help of the public using photography, sound and print.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External
Affairs, said:
"I am delighted to not only be able to launch this year's
Doors Open Days but to mark its 21st birthday.
"This is a great event that draws thousands of visitors and
it should come as no surprise that Doors Open Day has lasted so
long and continues to attract more people and venues each
year.
"The buildings opening their doors are part of our
communities and are a fascinating way of discovering how things may
have changed over the years and how events have shaped the
landscapes of our towns, cities and villages.
"I am particularly happy to be able to launch this year's
event at Linlithgow Burgh Halls, a building I have visited many
times, but today I have learned even more about its history and the
fantastic refurbishment that has taken place."
John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust said:
"Doors Open Days goes from strength to strength. The sheer
numbers of people visiting open buildings in September every year
during Doors Open Days is simply staggering and the work and
achievement of all the local co-ordinators in putting together
exciting programmes across the whole of Scotland is something to be
extremely proud of."
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland
said:
"The Doors Open Days programme in Scotland should be
congratulated on reaching such a milestone this year. The 21 years
of existence is testament to the strong working partnerships across
a range of Scottish organisations and a passion from national and
international visitors to explore some of the wonderful buildings
and places we have on offer."
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management,
said:
"We are delighted to support Doors Open Days and hope as
many people as possible will take up the opportunity to visit one
of the hundreds of buildings, sites or tours on offer across
Scotland. Once again, the Scottish Civic Trust has done a
tremendous job pulling everything together and I am sure this
year's event will be the best yet".
Doors Open Days Image 1 shows from left: John Pelan, Director of
the Scottish Civic Trust; Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Minister for
Culture and External Affairs; and Malcolm Fraser, Director of
Malcolm Fraser Architects.
Doors Open Days Image 2 shows from left: Abigail Daly, Outreach
Projects Coordinator (Scottish Civic Trust), John Pelan, Director
(Scottish Civic Trust), Emma Fairhurst, Architect (Malcolm Fraser
Architects), Thirza Wilson, Venue Coordinator (Linlithgow Burgh
Halls), Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Minister for Culture and External
Affairs, Malcolm Fraser, Director (Malcolm Fraser Architects) and
Alex Adamson, West Lothian Doors Open Days Area Coordinator
(Linlithgow Civic Trust).