An open call is being issued to to site managers, building owners, community groups and heritage/architecture experts to get involved in this year's Doors Open Days Festival.
Due to take place in the Borders on 3-4 September, the aim of the Festival is to raise awareness of Scotland’s built and cultural heritage and ensure it is accessible to everyone.
It is also a chance to celebrate what makes the Scottish Borders special by showcasing not only the heritage, culture and places for which the region is already famous, but also some of the more unusual gems still waiting to be discovered.
Online and in person events to be available
This year the event will take place online and in person at a range of venues throughout the region, so we are keen to ensure as many examples of local built and cultural heritage are featured as possible.
The hybrid format means there are plenty of ways to get involved. The range of ideas that could be considered include:
- opening a building for in person visits
- leading a guided walk
- hosting an online or in person talk
- creating a new digital resource such as a video tour or drone footage
- publishing some new historical research
- giving an interview
- providing a slideshow of new and old photos
The criteria for taking part is that the event must be:
- of architectural, design, heritage, ancestry, community or cultural interest
- provided free of charge
- offer something that is not normally available
This year’s themes include ‘Stories’, Building Re-Use’ and ‘Cycling’ but submissions featuring other ideas are also welcomed.
Register your interest by 31 May
The deadline for registering expressions of interest is close of play on 31 May 2022.
For more information, including how to access and complete the online form, visit the Doors Open Days pages of our website.
More information
About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates Scotland's places, history and culture, new and old. Each September, the festival offers access to over a thousand sites and events across Scotland. The aim of Doors Open Days is to ensure that Scotland’s built and cultural heritage is made accessible to people living in and visiting the country. Doors Open Days is supported by Historic Environment Scotland, and is part of European Heritage Days. For more information visit the Doors Open Days website
About Scottish Civic Trust
Scottish Civic Trust’s mission is to celebrate Scotland’s built environment, take action for its improvement and empower its communities. Founded in 1967, the Civic Trust supports people to connect with their built heritage and take a leading role in guiding its development. In its infancy, it successfully campaigned for the restoration of Edinburgh’s New Town and was instrumental in the revitalisation of New Lanark – both now part of Scotland’s network of six World Heritage Sites. In addition to these major milestones, Scottish Civic Trust was also the first to bring Doors Open Day to the UK, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. For more information visit the Scottish Civic Trust website
About Scottish Borders Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days in the Scottish Borders is co-ordinated by our Heritage and Design Team, whose expertise includes natural heritage, built heritage, placemaking and design. They have supported a number of Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes including the one currently running in Hawick. They also run the well-regarded Scottish Borders Design Awards. We have taken part in Doors Open Days most years since the initiative began.