Applegarth Hall

11/08/2026

How does one prep for an exhibition when one has too many ideas, not enough time, and has never put on an exhibition before?
CHAOTICALLY, that’s how. Using the books as prompts, marvelling at the lucky thoughts that appear spontaneously, planning (but not actually doing) collage, hoping the printer will cooperate…

Doors Open Days
Exhibition of Living Alternatives
5th-6th September
Near Lockerbie





alternativeliving

08/08/2026

The preparation for the Applegarth Hall Doors Open Days permaculture tour begins.

When permaculture is a way of life rather than ‘just’ a set of philosophies and techniques, it is often just a question of signage, allocating everyday practices to a particular principle.

‘Use everything on site’ comes naturally to an acquisitive scavenger (some would say) hoarder.

And it is one of those holistic phrases that has a slightly different meaning depending on where you place the emphasis:

USE everything on site
Use EVERYTHING on site
Use everything ON site
Use everything on SITE

See? It’s sort of linguistic magic

Thinking of language, would any of my Scots-speaking friends be willing to translate my signage into Scots?

And put the dates in your diary:

Doors Open Days
Applegarth Hall
Exhibition of Living Alternatives
5th-6th September 2026 10am-4pm

[It is customary to say ‘link in bio’ but it isn’t - although you can reach it from there. If you don’t use Facebook, send us a DM or find us in the Doors Open Days programme.]





villagehalls

25/07/2026

This is what I call ‘fly taking’: the anthesis of fly tipping. It’s not the solution, obviously (this should start with systemic change in several areas. But it does mean a few things get repurposed - and in this instance I get the materials to make nice little slate signs for the Doors Open Days tour .

24/07/2026

I think this is what they call a ‘picture window.
The easterly view from Applegarth Hall… a wonderful environment for preparing for Doors Open Days

01/07/2026

Applegarth Hall is delighted to confirm that we are taking part in Scotland's Doors Open Days this September.

Our event - near Lockerbie in Dumfries & Galloway - will be held on the 5th-6th September.

We will be hosting an exhibition exploring overlooked, emerging and alternative aspects of Scotland's living heritage, highlighting ways of living, building and creating that modern society often overlooks. The exhibition will explore themes including traditional building methods, low-impact technologies, Permaculture, self-sufficiency, and sustainable living. Visitors will also be able to browse our embryonic Library of Alternative Realities, a growing collection of books intended to inspire curiosity, creativity and new ways of thinking.

We will shortly be creating an Event on Facebook, which will provide further details,so please follow our page to receive updates.

There will be opportunities for local 'alternative' groups or individuals to have a stall or a display (free of charge), so if you think you fit under the 'alternative lifestyles' banner, please get in touch, and/or share this information with your weird and wacky friends.

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old.