Doors Open Day 2008
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2008
Doors Open Day 2008 - Update
This year has been another successful year with many more buildings open, giving a wider choice to visitors from both locally and further afield. This year has seen around 2500 visitors through the "doors" of Angus. Although slightly lower than last year it was still a great turnout considering the number of other large events on in the local area.
Almost 50% of the visitors had never visited the event in Angus before and many have asked to be added to our mailing list for future years. The event continues to grow and develop each year and comments and recommendations from this year will be taken on board in organising next year's event.
The lucky winners of the memberships for either Historic Scotland or National Trust for Scotland were; A Duff, A Hendry and S & J Elliot.
It is not too late to be added to the mailing list for next year and you can do so by emailing your email or postal address to macarik@angus.gov.uk
Thank you for visiting Angus Doors Open Day 2008.
Angus Doors Open Day was a great success last year, with over 3000 visitors to the 21 properties that were open. This year we have managed to secure 29 venues and a heritage walk. Old favourites remain such as Hospitalfield House, Balmashanner War Memorial and the Mortuary Chapel but this year we have also added the James F Stephen Architects' Studio at Glamis as well as having been able to secure some National Trust for Scotland buildings and therefore have free access to Angus Folk Museum at Glamis, Barrie's Birthplace and the Camera Obscura at Kirriemuir and House of Dun by Montrose. We would like to beat the record of 3000 visitors this year and hope that you will join us on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September for another fantastic Doors Open Day weekend.
Special events:
- Storytelling at the Signal Tower Museum on Saturday and at the Mortuary Chapel on Sunday.
- Pictavia again opens its doors free of charge in Brechin.
- Backstage tours of the newly refurbished Webster Theatre and the Abbey Theatre in Arbroath.
- Access to the top of the Signal Tower Museum.
- A heritage walk of Monifieth by the Monifieth History Society.
- Fire safety and demonstrations at Arbroath Fire Station.
- The Former Royal Observer Corp Monitoring Post - a chance to climb down into the bunker and see what went on.
Remember that this is a chance to see some of the buildings in Angus, free of charge, and which either do not normally have public access or that have an admission charge.
This website will provide the most up to date information relating to the events and should be checked prior to the event or by calling (01307) 473265. Alternatively telephone 07944520380 on the day only if you have any queries.
Venues Overview
Below is an overview of the venues and their general information. Click on the venue for more information.
| Venue | Saturday Opening Time |
Sunday Opening Time |
Tours times or info if applicable |
Disabled Access | Toilets | Refreshments available |
| Arbroath | ||||||
| The Signal Tower | 10.00am to 5.00pm | CLOSED | Tours to rooftop be booked on 01241 875598 Storytelling at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm. |
Limited | Yes, but no D/A toilet | No |
| Sheriff Court | 11.00am to 1.00pm | CLOSED | Staffed tours available | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hospitalfield House | 11.00am to 3.30pm | 11.00am to 3.30pm | Self access | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Mortuary Chapel | CLOSED | 11.00am to 3.00pm | No specified times | Limited | No | No |
| Life Boat Station | 10.00am to 4.00pm | CLOSED | No specified times | Very limited | Yes, but no D/A toilet | No |
| Abbey Theatre | 10.00am to 4.00pm | 10.00am to 4.00pm | Backstage tours | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| The Webster Theatre | Booked Tours Only | CLOSED | 10.00am, 11.00am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm Tours to be booked on 01241-435800 |
Limited | Yes | No |
| Arbroath Fire Station | 10.30am to 4.30pm | 10.30am to 4.30pm | Disabled Access | No | No | |
| St Mary's Episcopal Church | 9.00am to 6.00pm | 9.00am to 6.00pm | Service on Sunday at 11.00am | Not specified | Not specified | Yes |
| St Vigean's Church | 3.00pm to 5.00pm | 3.00pm to 5.00pm | Not suitable for wheelchairs | Yes | Yes | |
| The Former Royal Observer Corp Monitoring Post | Booked Tours Only | Booked Tours Only | 1.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm, 4.00pm. | No | No | No |
| Brechin | ||||||
| Pictavia | 9.30am to 5.30pm | 10.30 am to 5.30pm | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brechin Cathedral and Round Tower | 9.00am to 5.00pm | 9.00am to 5.00pm | Yes | No | No | |
| Kinnaird Castle | CLOSED | Booked Tours Only | Tours only at 3.00pm and 4.15pm Tours to be booked on 01674 810240 |
Ground floor only (1/2 of tour) | No | No |
| The Caledonian Railway | CLOSED | 12.00pm to 4.00pm | Not specified | No | No | |
| Forfar | ||||||
| Balmashanner | CLOSED | 11.00am to 3.00pm | No | No | No | No |
| Sheriff Court | 11.00am to 3.00pm | CLOSED | Guided tours. Talk at 1.00pm by Honorary Sheriff Carol Garvie |
Yes | Yes | No |
| The Masonic Temple | 10.30am to 4.00pm | 12.00pm to 4.00pm | Limited | Yes | Yes | |
| Glamis | ||||||
| Angus Folk Museum | 12.00pm to 5.00pm | 1.00pm to 5.00pm | Yes | Yes | No | |
| James F Stephen Architects' Studio | 10.00am to 4.00pm | CLOSED | No times specified | Limited | No | No |
| Glenesk | ||||||
| Glenesk Folk Museum | 12.00pm to 6.00pm | 12.00pm to 6.00pm | Limited | Yes | Yes | |
| Kirriemuir | ||||||
| Barrie's Birthplace | 12.00pm to 5.00pm | 1.00pm to 5.00pm | Yes | No | No | |
| The Camera Obscura | 12.00pm to 5.00pm | 1.00pm to 5.00pm | Limited | No | No | |
| The Glens and Kirriemuir Old Parish Church | 10.00am to 4.00pm | CLOSED | Yes | Yes | No | |
| St Mary's Episcopal Church | 10.00am to 4.00pm | CLOSED | Limited | Not disabled | Yes | |
| Monifieth | ||||||
| House of Memories | 10.00am to 4.00pm | 10.00am to 4.00pm | ||||
| Monifieth Heritage Walk | N/A | Heritage Walk only | 2.00pm at the House of Memories | Not specified | N/A | N/A |
| Montrose | ||||||
| House of Dun | 12.30pm to 5.30pm | 12.30pm to 5.30pm | Not specified | Mostly accessible | Yes | Yes |
| Air Station & Heritage Centre | 10.00am to 4.00pm | 12.00pm to 4.00pm | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tealing | ||||||
| Tealing Hall | CLOSED | 12.00 to 4.00pm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Other Information
Please take the time to fill in the questionnaire (PDF 61K) on the day or print them off before hand and hand it in on the day at the event of your choice. This will allow us to ensure that we are able to open buildings that are of interest to the people of Angus and to continue to improve future events.
Venue location maps to follow shortly.
Important Note
Although admission to all participating buildings is free, visitors enter at their own risk. Neither sponsors nor participants are responsible for any accidents or damage incurred.
If you require more information on this or any further matters relating to Doors Open Day 2008 please contact:
The Conservation Section on (01307) 473265
or email macarik@angus.gov.uk
Doors Open Day is organised in conjunction with Scottish Civic Trust as part of European Heritage Days. This also includes Scottish Archaeological Month (SAM) events that are also due to take place in the month of September. Details of the SAM events can be found by visiting the Council of Scottish Archaeology website at www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk
Details of the other Doors Open Day events throughout Scotland can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk. The Doors Open Day hotline for general queries throughout Scotland is 0141 248 1188.