Tag: Botanics

Edinburgh Botanics’ Palm Houses reopening date revealed …

… and here’s how to get in first!

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has announced that its historic Palm Houses will reopen to the public on Friday 2 October 2026, following five years of careful restoration work that has transformed one of the city’s most treasured A-listed buildings.

To mark the occasion, the Garden is inviting visitors to sign up for an exclusive presale, with the opportunity to book tickets 48 hours ahead of general admission.

The reopening marks the completion of a transformative phase of the Edinburgh Biomes project, the most ambitious restoration and development programme in the Garden’s history. While the oldest of the two Palm Houses dates to 1834, the newer, rectangular house retains the title of tallest traditional Palm House in the world.

The scale of the restoration work is extraordinary. Over five thousand panes of glass have been created from bespoke templates that have been specially designed to withstand the impacts of climate change, with 600 m² of repairs carried out to the original Georgian and Victorian iron structure to restore the iconic Palm Houses to their former glory.

The refurbishment forms part of a wider £58million investment in the Edinburgh Biomes programme and was supported by the Scottish Government. Over £10.6m has been raised via philanthropic fundraising and a public appeal which also contributed £250,000 towards this project.

Before restoration work could begin, the Horticulture team carefully removed 800 precious plant specimens from the Palm Houses.

The majority were temporarily rehomed within the Garden’s other Glasshouses, while replanting of the empty Palm Houses began earlier this year. Around 600 specimens – including plants endangered in the wild – will ultimately be returned, among them a stone gate palm (Trachycarpus princeps), standing over eight metres tall and believed to be the tallest of its kind in cultivation outside China.

Plantings also include a young sabal palm, the 10-year-old offspring of one of the Garden’s oldest and most celebrated plants, the Sabal mexicana, estimated to be around 200 years old when it was felled in 2021.

Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “I am thrilled to be reopening the world’s tallest traditional Palm House after five years of painstaking restoration with the support of the Scottish Government and our generous donors. 

“As we fight to tackle climate change and nature loss, the reopening of the Palm Houses is a globally significant moment for Scotland and the world. As well as celebrating our Living Collection of plants – including those endangered in the wild – this moment also reflects our work as Scotland’s global scientific centre of excellence in plant science, horticulture, education and conservation.”

Entry to the Palm Houses will be by ticketed admission, with allocated time slots available throughout the day.

To avoid disappointment, RBGE recommends pre-booking in advance.

Those who sign up for presale access at rbge.org.uk/palm-houses will receive the opportunity to book tickets 48 hours before the general public when they go on sale.

Members and patrons of the Botanics go free and will benefit from special preview access in September 2026, ahead of the public opening, with further information on booking to follow soon.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh refreshes Garden View Deck & Bar for summer season

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has unveiled its newly refreshed Garden View Deck & Bar, in association with Maison Pommery & Associés, offering a relaxed and elevated al fresco escape in the heart of the capital, in time for the summer season.

Located within the John Hope Gateway, the Garden View Deck & Bar will, for the first time, extend its opening hours across the summer months. The Deck & Bar is open from 12PM to 8PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12PM to 4:30PM on Sundays, offering the perfect weekend lunchtime escape with a view.

On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can continue enjoying the space with extended opening hours until 8PM. While the wider Gardens close at 5PM, the Deck remains open, offering panoramic views over the Living Collection in the light summer evenings.

The new evening offering invites guests to experience the Botanics at a different pace, encouraging them to linger longer and unwind in a beautiful garden setting as the sun sets. In collaboration with catering partners Heritage Portfolio, the menu has been designed for informal grazing and sharing, with a focus on seasonality and bold, summery flavours. 

Freshly prepared stone baked pizzas include classic combinations such as Margherita with tomato sugo, mozzarella and basil, and pepperoni with nduja and hot honey, as well as a vegan bianca with potato, caramelised onion and vegan mozzarella.

A selection of artisan small plates includes a cheese board for two with Stilton blue, Camembert and Arran smoked cheddar, seasonal pickles and Gordal olives and more. Just like the Gateway Cafe, the menu will be inspired by produce from the Kitchen Garden, infusing fresh, seasonal, and hyper-local ingredients into the menu. 

Dr Julia Knights, Regius Keeper at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “Today marks an important moment in an exciting new partnership between Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Maison Pommery, which brings together shared values of excellence, heritage, sustainability and cultural engagement.

“Together we are creating a premium experience that invites our visitors to enjoy nature and celebrate the Garden through a new lens, showcasing both the beauty of the Garden and its important mission to protect Earth’s fragile habitats.”

Sandy Robson, Executive Director of Heritage Portfolio commented: “We are delighted to offer a new space for Edinburgh locals and visitors to enjoy this summer, with a food and beverage offering that champions local produce while reflecting the best of the season in a relaxed, open-air setting for long summer evenings.

“The menu has been designed to be informal and shareable, encouraging guests to graze, try a little of everything and spend time together over food.”

Maison Pommery is highlighted through a selection of its emblematic cuvées, reflecting its expertise and heritage. Each Champagne precisely expresses the House style, combining finesse, freshness, and balance.

Julien Lonneux, CEO of Maison Pommery United Kingdom, adds: “At Maison Pommery, we firmly believe that excellence cannot exist without responsibility. Preserving nature means preserving the very essence of our wines and our heritage.”

The drinks offer also includes a selection of wines, beers and soft drinks chosen to complement relaxed outdoor dining. A dedicated spritz menu brings a playful, botanical focus inspired by summer evenings.

Alongside classic serves like an Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz, the bespoke Garden Party collection includes the Strawberry Meadow with strawberry and elderflower, and the Provençal Bloom with lavender and lemon.

The Garden View Deck & Bar operates on a walk in basis, offering a flexible way to visit whether guests are rounding off a day in the Garden or arriving specifically for an evening drink and something to eat. Guests can enjoy the refreshed space on weekends from May 8th.

For more information on the Garden View Deck & Bar, please visit:

https://www.rbge.org.uk/deck-bar/

Earth Matters: Free exhibition at The Botanics

20th MARCH – 1st NOVEMBER

🌍 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.

Earth Matters is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and the Edinburgh Geological Society with special thanks to The James Hutton Institute.

Arboretum Place Public Realm and Streetscape Proposals

Community Pop Up Event Saturday 7th March

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.

Botanics Halloween Trail

11 – 19 OCTOBER from 10am – 4pm

🎃 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! 🐈‍⬛

In partnership with Taylors Snacks.

Heartbreak at Botanics as Storm Eowyn wreaks havoc

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.

Play with Printing at the Botanics

SATURDAY 24 AUGUST at 10am

Play with Printing is a 2-hour art workshop at the Botanics for children aged 8 and over.

Run by visual artist Lorna Gallagher and inspired by the work of Matisse, the session takes place on Saturday 24 Aug at 10.00am.

Book tickets: https://rbge.cc/PlayWithPrinting

It’s nearly the end of June … so let the countdown to Christmas commence!  

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.  

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.