Doors Open Day 2023

On Saturday 9^th September Clober Farm, our accessible vacation property, joined hundreds of prominent buildings all over Scotland in opening our doors for Doors Open Day.

We were delighted to take part in Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates local places and stories and encourages people to be a tourist on their own doorstep.

The Doors Open Days began in 1990 and in the past 33 years the festival has expanded to reach all 32 council regions of Scotland with visitors enjoying access to nearly 1,000 historical buildings.

Situated in Milngavie, Clober Farm was part of the East Dunbartonshire programme that included the Fort Theatre in Bishopbriggs, whose boards have been trod by entertainers such as Billy Connolly and Peter Capaldi, a number of historical churches, including Cadder Parish Church, Baldernock Parish Church  and New Kilpatrick Church and also Kirkintilloch’s famous Lion Foundry, birthplace of the iconic red telephone boxes.

We were doubly excited this year as unfortunately, we had to pull out of the 2022 festival as a mark of respect when it fell on the weekend after The Queen’s passing. We were selected as the brochure cover too!

It was the perfect opportunity for locals to experience the property, talk about the history of the building and to see what happens behind, the normally, closed doors. It was also a great chance to check the place out before booking for those that have been looking for an accessible break.

The original apartment, part of a conversion of a former mid-18th century farmhouse, and grounds were bequeathed to Spinal Injuries Scotland in 2007 by the late Viv Donaldson (Physiotherapist at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow and Spinal Injuries Scotland Member) on the understanding that Clober Farm was to be made exclusively available to be rented by people with disabilities who require the adapted facilities we offer.

Following a comprehensive program of extensive renovations, Clober Farm was officially opened by our honorary president HRH The Princess Royal in 2012.

The day was a great success, meeting and talking with neighbours and locals, discussing the history of the building and our future plans. Thank you to all that attended, we hope you got as much out of it as we did!!