Scottish Civic Trust and Ryder Architecture announced a sponsorship agreement that will see the Trust open their offices at The Tobacco Merchant’s House for free to the public during Doors Open Days 2023.
The Tobacco Merchant’s House is one of the few remnants of 18th century Glasgow, and the last of the Georgian villas known as the Virginia Tobacco Merchants’ Houses. Today, the building serves as an example of high quality Palladian architecture and historic building maintenance, as well as teaches important lessons about Scotland’s connections to the slave trade and the global movement to end racism.
At the Tobacco Merchant’s House Doors Open Days event on 17 September, visitors will be invited to travel back in time to Georgian Glasgow through guided tours of the building and surrounding Merchant City.
Doors Open Days is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust, and is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage, places and stories, new and old. It offers free access to hundreds of venues and events across the country throughout September, every year.
The programme for the 2023 Doors Open Days festival will be launched in mid-August. More information about the festival can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.
Joe Traynor, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: “We are delighted to share the historic Tobacco Merchant’s House with tourists and local communities. In partnership with Ryder Architecture, we will share the stories and atmosphere of this very unique venue, which is key to the story of Glasgow as well as its relationship with the slave trade.”
Chris Malcolm, Partner at Ryder, said: “We are very happy to support the Scottish Civic Trust in opening its doors at Tobacco Merchant’s House, as part of the Doors Open Day festival. The festival provides the community with a chance to learn about the heritage of Glasgow through some of its most historical buildings. We are proud to be playing a part.”
The Scottish Civic Trust is the national organisation for local heritage, civic and community groups. In addition to celebrating Scotland’s places and spaces through the My Place Awards, the Trust leads on Doors Open Days, the largest heritage festival in Scotland, empowers everyone to share their heritage through the Diverse Heritage project and takes action with planning authorities to protect listed buildings and conservation areas.
Ryder Architecture is an international design practice with diverse and extensive experience. The team leads projects in a unique integrated way, to deliver exceptional value and a positive impact for clients and communities. In Scotland, the team is working alongside Scottish Futures Trust to deliver Place Based visioning, and has recently submitted plans for Paisley Grammar School, which will be one of the largest Passivhaus education buildings in the UK.