Doors Open Days

The chance to take a virtual tour of buildings across Orkney is on offer this weekend.

Doors Open Days – which provides free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland every September - will present its largest ever online offering on Saturday and Sunday (26 and 27 September).

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Doors Open Days in 2020 has gone digital – giving people worldwide the opportunity to safely explore buildings, spaces and places across the country.

There are 17 participants in Orkney. These include OIC – with Convener Harvey Johnston hosting a tour of the Council Chamber you can watch online.

Over the weekend, visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk and select ‘Orkney’ to watch virtual tours created especially for this year’s festival:

• Barony Mill.
• BBC Radio Orkney.
• Corrigall Farm Museum.
• Gardemeles Museum in Sanday.
• John Rae Society.
• Karen Tweed.
• Laura Drever.
• Leila Dearness Papercuts.
• Martin Laird.
• Orkney’s Council Chamber.
• Orkney Fossil and Heritage Museum.
• Orkney Storytelling Centre.
• Orkney Wireless Museum.
• Samantha Clark.
• The Balfour’s artwork.
• The Orkney Archive.
• The Orkney News.

Kim Burns, local co-ordinator of the Doors Open Days festival, said: “I had originally planned for Orkney’s contribution to this year’s festival to have a strong art theme and I did fear that, with lockdown, it was not going to happen.

“But I am delighted that so many of Orkney’s artists are represented in this year’s Open Days festival. It is such a treat to watch how Sam Clark created ‘Flow’ the beautiful wall in the Balfour, and to see their other art works – often in places the public cannot see.

“This festival is an opportunity for heritage venues in Orkney, who have had to remain closed, to showcase their wonderful exhibits. Those interested in the Hall of Clestrain can follow a virtual tour and see the John Rae Society’s plans for the future of that building.

“I am also delighted that OIC has taken part – we have a tour of the Council Chamber will Harvey Johnston, a visit to Corrigall Farm Museum, and a tour of the archive. I am very grateful to Emma Gee, Arts Officer, for all her help.”

Look out for updates on the Orkney Doors Open Day Facebook page.