Doors Open Days#Doors Open Days in Scotland

The Doors Open Days are the Scottish contribution to the European Heritage Days. On this day, individual cultural monuments, so standing is usually listed building and equipment which are prohibited or restricted to the public normally open to visitors. Also involved are institutions such as museums, present the whole year historically significant objects, here then additional services will be held. Admission is free. As part of Europe's organized days of action the common logo of the European Heritage Days is in references to the participating localities, such as on flags and banners, also shown.

History

The aim is to raise as at similar events in other countries, the interests of both the historical and cultural heritage of Scotland, but also for the interests of historic preservation and protection. Scotland is one of the pioneers of this idea here. Only the series of events in France (since 1985 ), the Netherlands (1987 ), Sweden and Malta (both 1988) and Belgium (1989 ) no longer exist.

Was triggered by the election of Glasgow European City of Culture in 1990, in Scotland, the underlying idea was implemented on a larger scale in Glasgow itself as well as in the south-west to Ayr town for the first time. Due to the success of this cultural offer, it was gradually expanded in the following years to other areas of Scotland. Today, all regions are involved with events. Estimated around a thousand localities pull him annually to about a quarter of a million spectators.

Organization

Be organized the Doors Open Days of the Scottish Civic Trust, a non-governmental organization, which has set itself the preservation of Scottish heritage and the goal here is also collaborating with the state conservation authority Historic Scotland. The Trust cares for the central coordination and presentation, the individual events are implemented in cooperation of owners, local authorities and associations. Estimated about 5,000 voluntary workers are involved.

The Doors Open Days in Scotland will take place in September of each year. In contrast to most other countries, this is not just limited to a certain day, but extends over the entire month. Accordingly, the plural Days, for local activities but the singular Day is used for the overall event.

Parallel to the Doors Open Days is in September, a further series of events, the Scottish Archaeology Month. Here the focus is in the field of archeology, so the explanation and demonstration of underground hidden and therefore not visible objects, as well as time in the prehistory and early history.

Other English-speaking space

As responsibility for heritage conservation and protection falls within the responsibility of the UK sector of states found in these distinct but similar events organized by other names and other groups, instead of:

• England: Heritage Open Days, organized by English Heritage.
• Wales: Open Doors Days ( Welsh: Drysau Agored ) organized by the Civic Trust for Wales
• Northern Ireland: European Heritage Open Days
• The capital city of London organized this on its own under the name Open House London

The term Doors Open is also used in other countries of the English -speaking world, such as in Canada or in the United States