OpenSpace Trust

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OpenSpace Trust

A voluntary organisation helping preserve the heritage of Aberdeen's Mither Kirk, and making it accessible. This page will tell some of the story.

29/08/2026

Doors Open Day, 5th September, at St Mary’s Chapel

The Chapel will be open to the public between 10.30 and 3.30. Come and go as you please – just have a look, watch the video or use one of our self-guide padels. There will be stewards available to answer questions or provide an impromptu tour.

This year for Doors Open Day we are pleased to say that we will be joined by Dr Abeer Eladeny. Abeer was one of the archaeological dig team back in 2006. She will give four half-hour talks about the dig and its findings at 11, 12, 2 and 3 o’clock. Please note that these talks will be in the dig area; to gain access requires negotiating four steep and narrow steps (there is a handrail as can be seen in the photograph). It is not advised for people with limited mobility.

There is no charge, but the OpenSpace Trust welcomes donations to support our continuing work in redeveloping the whole of the east end of the building for public use.

11/07/2026

Talks in St Mary’s Chapel

As part of our open day on 1st August, we are having talks by three distinguished members of the medical community in Aberdeen speaking about aspects of the development of medicine in the city. The first talk, in St Mary’s Chapel, starts at 2 pm and each one will last around 20 mins. The running order and topics are:

2,00 Prof G G Youngson. “A short history of Midwifery in Aberdeen”
2.20 Dr Martin Pucci: “Alexander Gordon , a true Aberdeen Medical Pioneer”
2.40 Prof J D Hutchison “Aberdeen’s Other Medical Pioneers”

There is no charge, but donations are welcome. The Chapel will be open between 10.30 and 3.30 with a self-guide padel with stewards to help and answer questions. Entry is by the door just inside the Kirk of St Nicholas Kirkyard at the top of Correction Wynd next to the loading bay.

24/05/2026

The next Open Day in St Mary's Chapel is on

Saturday 6th June between 10.30 and 3.30

Come and enjoy this old and compact gem right in the city centre. To help you get the most out of your visit, we have a slide show illustrating the work done so far and a self-guide tour – but also stewards who can guide you or answer your questions.

Entry is by the new wheelchair access door just inside the Kirkyard gate beside the St Nicholas Centre loading bay. There is no charge, although we do welcome donations.

23/04/2026

Sivell Murals
Do you know about the Sivell Murals, where they are in Aberdeen and why they were created?
If you would like to know more about them, come to St Mary’s Chapel (at the top of Correction Wynd next to the loading bay) for 11 am on Saturday 2nd May when Dr Marion White will give an illustrated talk about them, their history and why it is so important that they are preserved.
This is part of our regular opening of the Chapel - between 10.30 and 3.30. All are welcome. There is no charge, but donations would be welcome.

24/03/2026

St Mary’s Chapel restoration is almost completed
Before the special paint could be applied to the new lime mortar the moisture level had to be below a critical level. Getting there took a long time and cannot be rushed otherwise the mortar does not ‘cure’ properly. Eventually the target level reached and the painting completed - the last major stage in the restoration work.
However, there were some other things happening. A new door was constructed for access from the south aisle of the Chapel into the archaeological dig site. This door was designed to look old but was built in the workshops of North Group, the contractors, during 2025. Once in place, it was stained to match the rest of the wood in the Chapel and fits in remarkably well.
The restoration has been a long process, starting just before Covid and has not been without its problems. However, a few before and after photographs will illustrate just what a difference the OpenSpace Trust has been able to achieve.

We will be holding a series of ‘open days’ during 2026 – on the first Saturday of each month starting on 4th April and concluding at Doors Open Day on 5th September. We will be open 10.30 to 3.30 each day. Further information is available at www.opensapcetrust.org.uk.

14/08/2025

CANCELLED
Unfortunately, following storm damage to trees the St Nicholas Kirkyard is closed to public access. This means that there is no public access to St Mary’s Chapel. The OpenSpace Trust have, therefore, reluctantly cancelled the open time on Saturday 16th August.
We will be open again on Doors Open Day, on 6th September, and look forward to seeing you there.

09/08/2025

St Mary’s Chapel, part of the east end of the Kirk of St Nicholas building, is to be open again on Saturday 16th August between 10.30 and 3.30. The Chapel is a compact space dating back to the mid-1400s. It is a fascinating building right in the centre of the city which has been fully restored in recent years. The most recent work, completed earlier this year, has been shortlisted for the prestigious FIS Scottish Awards 2025. Stewards will be available to answer questions and there is a new video presentation about the history of the Chapel and the restoration work. The Chapel is accessible, entry is free but donations would be appreciated. All are welcome.

Address

St Mary's Chapel, Correction Wynd
Old Aberdeen
AB101HP

Website

http://www.openspacetrust.org.uk/

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