Green cash boost for Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is to receive £1.5 million to replace ageing glasshouses, Finance Secretary John Swinney announced today. The money is part of a £26 million investment package of which will lead to a greener Scotland.

The money supports renewable energy and low-carbon projects, as well as projects which will help people enjoy Natural Scotland, and comes as part of an overall £105 million package of economic stimulus announced by Mr Swinney last month.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to provide resources for capital investment in order to support economic recovery. The projects funded can be taken forward quickly and will support jobs and investment.

The £26 million will go to the following projects which will support Scotland’s environment:

• £2.8 million to the Green Bus Fund, to further support the wider roll out of low-carbon buses across Scotland.
• £800,000 to the Rutherglen Low Carbon Zone.
• £2 million for plant and estate improvements at Arnish Yard.
• £16 million for other renewable energy projects.
• £700,000 to accelerate the upgrade of visitor facilities at David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle.
• £500,000 to upgrade visitor facilities at Queen’s View, Perthshire (pictured below).
• £1.8 million to improve visitor facilities within the National Parks.
• £1.5 million to commence replacement of ageing glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh (above).

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “Scotland’s astounding natural resources are recognised throughout the world, and I am pleased that this funding will support a suite of projects which will help us to take proper advantage of these resources to deliver economic growth for the Scottish people.

“Careful stewardship of Scotland’s resources has allowed us both to identify funding for these capital projects, and to ensure that Scotland’s environment will continue to be an economic and natural asset to be enjoyed for generations to come. The funding for renewable energy and low-carbon projects will help us to capitalise on our world-leading expertise in this area to support jobs and attract further investment. And as we look ahead to next year’s Year of Natural Scotland we will support a number of projects in our National Parks and through the Forestry Commission and Botanic Gardens which will enhance facilities for visitors.”