What’s really beneath your feet? Dig into the hidden world of soil with our new exhibition Earth Matters, opening next week.
Marking 300 years since the birth of James Hutton, the Edinburgh-born geologist who transformed how we understand the ground beneath our feet, 30 artists unearth the beauty and brilliance of the living ecosystem.
Open daily from Friday 20 March at Inverleith House Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
I am pleased to be getting in touch to inform you about a Community Pop Up event regarding improvements to Arboretum Place and the area in front of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Inverleith Park.
With thanks to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we welcome you to join us to see the proposals on Saturday 7th March from 10:30 – 2:00 pm on the Ground Floor of the John Hope Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ. The venue is fully accessible.
Stop by to hear more about the project, see the proposals, meet the design team and share your feedback.
We are working with the City of Edinburgh Council to develop concept designs for improvements to the site, looking at the introduction of sustainable drainage measures along the length of Arboretum Place and around the entrances to Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, including placemaking opportunities between the two.
This work forms part of Climate Ready Craigleith looking at flood management interventions and improvements across the catchment and sits under the cities overarching Climate Ready Edinburgh strategy.
Boo! The Botanics Halloween Trail is back this autumn.
Follow clues around the Garden, uncover frightfully fun plant facts along the way, and enjoy a fang-tastic treat at the end. Perfect for families with little monsters aged 3+.
No booking required, pick up your trail booklet (£3) from the East or West Gate and get started!
BOTANICS’ TALLEST TREE IS AMONG 15 LOST – 27 MORE DAMAGED
Botanics staff reported:
‘We’re sad to announce that #StormÉowyn has caused severe damage across our Gardens.
‘At #Edinburgh, 15 trees have been lost – either uprooted or damaged beyond recovery. This includes the Garden’s tallest tree, the 29-metre Cedrus deodara, planted in 1859.
‘A further 27 trees have been heavily damaged, and more than 100 panes of glass have been lost from our glasshouses.’
The Botanics team has initiated a major clearup programme and, despite considerable damage across the site, the popular Gardens reopened yesterday.
Christmas at the Botanics returns for 2022 with new and otherworldly installations
With fewer than 200 sleeps until Christmas, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is finalising plans to welcome back Christmas at the Botanics for its sixth year.
The annual festive marvel will once again light up the capital’s night sky with a one mile illuminated trail, running for six weeks from 17 November to 30 December (selected evenings only).
New installations at the Botanics for 2022 include:
· Floraison, from the French artistic collective, Pitaya, takes flora and fauna to a new level. A total of 240 red, glowing flowers will appear to blossom on trees along the path of the Chinese Hillside bringing an ethereal vibe to the trail.
· Aurora, from UK artists ITHACA, makes its first ever appearance in Scotland. A new overhead piece, the installation recreates the visual tones of the stunning Aurora Borealis with waves of colour.
· Feathers, by UK artists Pyrite Creative, sees UV feathers measuring up to two meters, appear to float gracefully in the trees above visitors as they pass by.
Returning festive favourites include the magnificent Christmas Cathedral, Inverleith House projection and – making its return for 2022 – the Laser Garden, which will for the first time in Edinburgh feature rainbow lasers casting beams and thousands of coloured dots across the surrounding landscape.
The 2021 trail attracted the biggest audience in its six-year history – welcoming more than 90,000 visitors over its five-week run. With the capital able to again welcome visitors from across the UK and internationally, organisers are aiming for another record-breaking year, as family and friends come together to enjoy the festivities.
Kari Coghill, Director of Enterprise and Communication, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “We work hard all year to display the fruits of the seasons through our magnificent plant collections.
“Opening the Garden on a crisp winter’s evening continues to be special as visitors can experience this wonderful place in a very different light – all while enjoying a hot chocolate or toasting a marshmallow with friends or family.
“Ticket sales from Christmas at the Botanics help us to maintain the Garden and continue our work in plant research, conservation, horticulture and education. I look forward to throwing open our gates and welcoming everyone to the trail in November.”
Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Creating festive traditions with family or friends is something to be cherished.
“Christmas at the Botanics has become a milestone moment which kicks off the season for so many people. It’s the perfect get-together for all ages. As with last year, we are again able to welcome larger groups and I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the illuminated Garden.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
Next Saturday, a 10 metre tall sea goddess will appear at the Botanics.
With eyes the colour of oyster shells and a voice like the chorus of the waves, Storm has emerged from the deep to encourage us all to celebrate our seas, care for our coastlines and empower us to put the environment first.
This intimate experience from Vision Mechanics marks Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 and is an incredible opportunity to see a folklore giant made-real.
Presented as part of this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival, Luke Jerram’s In Memoriam is a touring art work displayed at the Royal Botanic Garden, marking its first visit to Scotland.
The installation is a temporary memorial for the public to visit and remember all those we have lost from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Memoriam is also made in tribute to all the NHS health and care workers who have been risking their lives during the crisis. Referencing those people who have been in hospital and care homes during this crisis, the flags are created from NHS bed sheets and arranged in the form of a medical logo.
Luke Jerram is a world-renowned artist whose multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Luke is now known globally for his innovative large-scale public artworks, including the famous Museum of Moon, experienced by more than 10 million people worldwide.
Luke Jerram said: “It’s amazing to be part of the Edinburgh Science Festival and to present my artwork In Memoriam in Scotland for the first time, in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
“I hope it will allow the space and time for reflection to those who need it.”
Amanda Tyndall, Festival Director said: “We have long been committed to the merging of science and the arts to provide the public with meaningful interactions with the science so central to all our lives.
“Luke’s work is a wonderful example of the power this can have and is a moving and fitting tribute to those we have lost and to the exceptional people that have helped us through such challenging times.”
Focusing on climate crisis, global pandemic of Covid-19 and celebrating women in STEM, the 33rd Edinburgh Science Festival is currently underway with a theme of One World: Science Connects Us.
Featuring over 220 in-person exhibitions, installations and a wide range of walks, tours and trails, the Festival is a perfect opportunity for people to safely get a live science experience this summer.
Its ambitious digital programme of talks, workshops and downloadable resources for people of all ages means that this year’s Festival truly connects sci-curious people around the globe.
Alongside Luke Jerram’s In Memoriam, some of the other outdoor and in-person exhibitions and walks on offer include Pale Blue Dot at the National Museum of Scotland, delving deep into all things marine, celebrating some of UK’s greatest engineering innovations – This is Engineering…As You’ve Never Seen It Before on The Mound, Women in STEM Street Art Trail, highlighting the achievements of 9 remarkable scientists through large-scale graffiti portraits displayed around Edinburgh or Oscillation in Light and Sound, an interactive exploration of light and sound using giant crystals scattered around St Andrew Square.
To browse the full programme of in-person events, walks and exhibitions in and around Edinburgh, visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk.
What’s really beneath your feet? Dig into the hidden world of soil with our new exhibition Earth Matters, opening next week.
Open daily from Friday 20 March at Inverleith House Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Boo! The Botanics Halloween Trail is back this autumn.
With eyes the colour of oyster shells and a voice like the chorus of the waves, Storm has emerged from the deep to encourage us all to celebrate our seas, care for our coastlines and empower us to put the environment first.
