Doors Open Day

Last Saturday was Doors Open Day here in Edinburgh.  Every year we get the brochure and see things we want to go to, and then never go.  This year was different.  Whilst Jon was out at life-drawing, I decided to go to the Scottish Poetry Library book fair, By Leaves We Live, and check out a couple of buildings that were nearby.

First stop was Dovecot Studios, shown above.  This is now the home of Edinburgh Tapestry Company, and it's a converted swimming pool, you can probably make that out.  There is also exhibition space that felt a bit dark and claustrophobic, but overall a lovely building.

Next I popped in to The Breakfast Mission, home of Richard Murphy Architects.  Lovely building, and there was masses of information about their projects including films, plans, photographs and scale models.  They've designed Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh, and the Fruitmarket Gallery, also in Edinburgh, amongst other things. 

After that I headed down to the Poetry Library.  The book fair was fascinating, lots of small presses including Wild Hawthorn and Alice Melvin.  It was also packed and almost impossible to browse in a relaxing way, so I gave up after a while and battled against throngs of stag and hen parties and went home. 

Although I could have fitted in many more Doors Open Day buildings, I don't think I had the patience for it.  Hopefully next year I'll try and do some more, maybe looking at some older buildings this time.