About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days 2026
Doors Open Days returns to the Scottish Borders on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2026.
The festival offers a fantastic opportunity to share your story, engage with local communities and showcase the unique heritage of the Scottish Borders. Taking part is flexible and can include opening your building to visitors, hosting guided tours, talks, demonstrations or exhibitions, or providing digital or online content.
If you would like to take part, please download and complete the Doors Open Days 2026 Application Form and return it to the National and Regional Doors Open Days Co-ordinators:
- Emily Sherriff – emily.sherriff@scottishcivictrust.org.uk
- Daniel Lodge – heritage@scotborders.gov.uk
Completed registration forms should be submitted by Sunday 26 July 2026.
2026 Theme – Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine
The shared European Heritage Days theme for 2026 is Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of protecting, celebrating and adapting our shared heritage in the face of changing environmental, social and economic challenges.
- Revive celebrates efforts to breathe new life into endangered buildings, traditions and stories through conservation, community projects, traditional crafts and cultural activities.
- Resist recognises the role communities play in safeguarding heritage from threats such as climate change, neglect, conflict and inappropriate development, using heritage as a source of identity, resilience and advocacy.
- Reimagine encourages fresh and innovative ways of experiencing heritage through creativity, technology, education and collaboration, ensuring it remains relevant, accessible and valued by future generations.
Venues are encouraged to consider how their event might reflect this year’s theme. A summary guidance document and accompanying brochure are available to help organisers develop events inspired by Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine.
About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old. It takes place each year in September across Scotland as part of European Heritage Days.
Events are free and take place in person or online. More information is available on the Doors Open Days website.
We act as regional co-ordinator for the Scottish Borders. We co-ordinate local events which are delivered by a range of partner organisations and individuals.
The festival presents a great opportunity to explore places that are usually closed to the public, and to discover more about local history, architecture and places on your doorstep. It is also an opportunity for groups and venues to share their story, engage with local communities and promote what they do.
If you have any queries or questions, please contact the Scottish Borders Doors Open Days Regional Coordinator, Daniel Lodge at heritage@scotborders.gov.uk