About Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and spaces, new and old. This annual event gives local residents and visitors of all ages the opportunity to visit historic, civic and interesting places that are either not usually open or that normally charge for entry; all for free!
Doors Open Days is one of Scotland’s two contributions to European Heritage Days – alongside Scottish Archaeology Month. European Heritage Days are a pan-European cultural celebration which bring citizens together year after year. It was launched by the Council of Europe in 1985 and now boasts up to 20 million visitors across Europe each year.
Doors Open Days takes place throughout Scotland in September and is co-ordinated nationally by The Scottish Civic Trust. In Perth and Kinross, Doors Open Days is co-ordinated by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and funded by The Gannochy Trust. The Trust has been organising the festival in Perth and Kinross since 1996 and we estimate that our programmes have allowed over 90,000 people the opportunity to visit historic and civic gems across the region. Every year the festival focuses on a different theme.
The festival wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiastic and dedicated support of thousands of building owners, custodians, volunteers and staff who contribute their time and energy to opening venues to the public each year. We are always incredibly grateful for the time and effort that vendors and volunteers put into events to make them a success. For full details and access the nationwide online programme, visit the dedicated Doors Open Days website.
Doors Open Days 2024
The theme for Doors Open Days 2024 is ‘Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections’. More information on the theme can be found here.
We’re delighted to announce that our Doors Open Days 2024 programme is now live! You can pick up a physical copy from the PKHT Office at Bridge Lane, at A.K. Bell Library or at the Tourist Information Office among other public venues in Perth.
To view the digital copy, click here: Doors Open Brochure 2024.
2024 Theme: Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections
This year’s shared European Heritage Days theme is Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections
Ancient routes, cities or villages, business establishments, religious buildings, post houses, towers, fortifications, and many other elements of our built environment are evidence of these exchanges. This theme is an opportunity to again travel these roads, routes and paths of history to discover what we can learn from them today. It is a chance to explore how our local heritage is connected to a wide variety of influences.
You can access guidance on how to celebrate this theme here.
This guide includes suggestions for potential events and activities which celebrate Heritage of Routes, Networks and Connections.
More information on Doors Open Days 2024 in Perth & Kinross will be available in due course.
Get involved – Information for organisations and venues
We are always on the look out for new venues, groups and individuals to join the festival. Do you have a building you’d like to open? Do you offer tours or volunteer at a community garden or orchard? Are you a performer or artist? Do you offer traditional skills or lead a community group? We want to hear from you!
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It is free to take part in Doors Open Days. All you need to do is complete our online form and you will be included in the printed programme (approx. 5000 copies distributed around Perth and Kinross) and your entry will be included on the national website. We will also provide you with venue decorations (a banner, balloons, bunting etc.) for the weekend. Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust also produce posters and other advertising material.
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Going digital: You do not have to physically open the doors to your venue. We have recently included digital entries in our annual programmes. This can include things such as virtual online tours, online talks, lectures etc.
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If you would like to further discuss what is involved in taking part please get in touch with us by emailing our Doors Open Days co-ordinator, Rory, at [email protected]. Whether you’ve been involved before or you’re entirely new to the festival, we’d love for you to sign up!
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Are you interested in signing up but unsure what taking part involves? Will you be offered external support? Read the handy guide produced by the Scottish Civic Trust.
