Tag: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Christmas at the Botanics returns to bring cheer to the Capital

Record run for popular winter event

Christmas at the Botanics – the magical and botanical illuminated trail – is returning in 2020 for its longest run ever.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the event will be held over a record 32-nights from 26 November to 3 January within the stunning setting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (selected evenings only).

The trail promises to round off 2020 on a high and bring cheer into 2021 as it delivers a dazzling display of lights, projections and lasers that will surprise and delight those who attend.     

The one mile long after-dark extravaganza will welcome back some of the most popular festive installations including the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden, as well as an appearance by Santa Claus and the festive finale which will be projected onto Inverleith House. 

As ever, the trail will also feature several new installations with new attractions including a projected light show on the 128 metre long modernist Front Range Glasshouses and Starfield – a large-scale installation of white LED twinkling stars by audio-visual designers Art AV.

Now a centrepiece of Edinburgh’s festive calendar, Christmas at the Botanics will form the pièce de résistance on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s 350th anniversary year. 

The event also looks to welcome back devotees of the Garden who were not able to visit when the Garden was temporarily closed because of Covid-19. 

The 2019 event welcomed 76,000 visitors during its five-week run – and the 2020 event promises to be as popular to those from Edinburgh and beyond.

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Having experienced the closure of our four Gardens for several weeks as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we open for Christmas at the Botanics and I hope that all who attend will benefit from the festive cheer it brings.

“This year’s event is even more special as it forms part of our 350th anniversary celebrations which have been significantly impacted by the lockdown. The work of the Botanics has never been more important globally in protecting the environment, human lives and economies. By coming to our event, visitors will play a vital role in funding plant research and conservation.

“We want to reassure all those planning to attend that we will have new health and safety measures in place to protect visitors. While this might mean that one or two of our installations may change this year, rest assured we want everyone who comes to the trail to enjoy their visit safely – whether this is their first time or if they have attended before.”

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas at the Botanics has established itself as a truly uplifting event that helps to set the tone for the festive season in Edinburgh.

“We are delighted to return to the spectacular backdrop that is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. We’ll welcome back some of the most loved installations as well as keeping the anticipation of the after-dark spectacle high with the introduction of some new and exciting exhibits. We can’t wait for visitors to see what we have in store for them this year.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is held 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.

Botanics to reopen on 1st July

A warm and safe welcome back is imminent for visitors to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh when it reopens to the public on Wednesday 1st July.

As the country emerges from lockdown, teams across the organisation are gearing-up for opening the public gates on Wednesday, 1st July.

In line with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s Phase 2 announcement yesterday, well-considered strategies have been adopted to create a safe environment for visitors and staff at Inverleith, in Edinburgh; Benmore, in Argyll; Logan, in Galloway and Dawyck, in the Scottish Borders.

New, temporary, measures include a one-way system on a number of Garden paths and some restrictions to access of other confined areas such as shops and toilets. Staff will be using PPE.

Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE explained: “We look forward to welcoming back visitors to all four Gardens. This connection with the environment is vital for the well-being of all.

“With the safety of our staff and visitors remaining our prime concern, we have amended operations on all sites to introduce measures that should build trust and confidence. Lockdown has been a difficult time for everyone, caution is widespread and life will remain away from what we regard as normal for some time.

“Travel restrictions remain in place and, for the immediate future, all four Gardens will be restricted to welcoming their local communities. However, this is a first hugely important step in our return to extended outreach.”

A new and important measure for the reopening of the Edinburgh flagship Garden is the introduction of time slots tickets, to be booked in advance by visitors. Time slots can be booked on-line from Wednesday, June 24. 

While admission to the Garden remains free of charge, this temporary method of entry will enable staff to limit the number of visitors accessing the Garden at any one time, gradually building capacity when all are comfortable the operational guidelines work.

The Glasshouses will remain closed, initially. The Garden will initially be open from 10am-5pm and capacity will be limited to 2,000 visitors a day.

To ensure personal distancing, entry will be through the Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) Gate at Arboretum Place, to the south of the John Hope Gateway visitor centre, and the East Gate on Inverleith Row. Any queues will be managed to ensure a smooth flow into the Garden.

Simon Milne concluded: “It is heartening visitors enjoyed following us online while the gates were closed and we hope they will continue to do so. However, the benefits of real time interaction with the natural environment are unsurpassable. We ask for everyone’s patience, understanding and support as we resume operations steadily and in a way that works for everyone.”

Visitors returning to the four Gardens will be invited to make a donation or support the organisation by becoming a member and providing crucial support for this world-leading charity in plant science and conservation horticulture.

Looking forward, its research and conservation initiatives at home and around the world have never been more important. By supporting the organisation, supporters can make real change in tackling the challenges of the climate emergency and habitat crisis.

12 days of Christmas at The Botanics

Twelve things you didn’t know about the spectacular winter trail, Christmas at the Botanics, which returns for its third consecutive year running for 30 nights from 22 November to 29 December.

Tickets for this year’s show are currently on sale. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit https://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2019/ Continue reading 12 days of Christmas at The Botanics

Halloween Trail at The Botanics

Join us for our annual Hallowe’en Trail through the Garden to see what Caley, the good garden witch, and Mì-àgh the cat are planning.

Complete the trail and receive a yummy treat from Mackie’s Ice Cream & Chocolate

Suitable for age 3+ . Pick up a trail booklet from the John Hope Gateway reception, £2 per trail.

Christmas at the Botanics: Festive light spectacular returns bigger and brighter

  • The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to transform into a twinkling winter wonderland this Christmas with an array of lights, projections and lasers
  • Over one million pea-lights on mile-long outdoor trail
  • New installations this year are ‘Voyage’, ‘Light-Hearted’, Icicle Garden and Laser Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will sprinkle a generous dusting of Christmas cheer and wonder once again this year as one of Edinburgh’s most popular festive season events, ‘Christmas at The Botanics’, returns for its third consecutive year running for 30 nights from 22 November to 29 December. Continue reading Christmas at the Botanics: Festive light spectacular returns bigger and brighter

NEA’s young gardeners to visit Botanics

Our Youth Garden Club is going on a trip to the Botanics on Thursday, 25 July, 12noon – 4pm. We’ll be having a tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh‘s Glasshouses, visiting the wormery and having a picnic lunch. 

Suitable for young people 8 – 12 years old; Free to attend but advance registration required.


We only have got a few spots on this trip so please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Adult Education courses at The Botanics

Our 2019/20 Adult Education Programme is out now!

Whether you want to brush up on your art; heal with herbs; develop your photography skills or simply enjoy the peace that being in the Garden can bring, with over 100 courses running this year there is sure to be something for everyone.

View the full programme here: 

http://bit.ly/RBGECourses

rbge-adult-education-programme-19-20

Visitor attractions: London tops but Scotland outperforms rest of UK

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) announced its members’ visitor figures for 2018 today. There’s been an average increase of 8.68% on 2017 visits to UK attractions, while attractions in Scotland saw the biggest increase of 19.07%. Overall 138, 823, 297 visits were made to the top 249 ALVA sites in the UK.  Continue reading Visitor attractions: London tops but Scotland outperforms rest of UK

Burns Night at The Botanics

We hae meat and we can eat! Celebrate Burns in style at the Botanics

If you need an excuse to end Dry January early, then Burns Night has arrived just in time! Toast Scotland’s national Bard with an evening of Scottish fare, music and dancing at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Join the Botanics and events partner Sodexo on Friday 25th January 2019, for a night filled with traditional festivities in the venue’s picturesque Gateway Restaurant. Kicking off at 7.30pm, the evening will begin in true Burns spirit with a hot toddy on arrival.

As guests settle in, the Selkirk Grace will be recited, followed by a special three-course Burns Night supper created by Sodexo’s talented team of chefs, kicking off with a warming Scotch broth.

This is followed by the undeniable jewel in the crown of any Burns supper, the haggis. Even Burns himself described it as the “great chieftan o’ the puddin’ race”. Made by Hornigs, the haggis will be accompanied with the classic sides of neeps, tatties and a whisky and chive sauce. However, before guests tuck in, it must be toasted.

In keeping with the long-held tradition, the celebration will begin with the procession of the centrepiece haggis, its address by the Reel Time Piper and finally, its surrender to the plunging dagger blade of the dirk.

To round off the delicious meal on a sweet note, guests will be served Scottish cranachan made with raspberries, cream and toasted oats. This will be followed by live music to play the guests into the small hours with a contemporary twist on traditional music and ceilidh dancing – the perfect end to the feast.

Fraser Sharp, General Manager for Sodexo at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Every year, Scotland celebrates Burns Night making it the perfect excuse to bring people together, drink a whisky and share a great meal. So, if you are looking for a unique venue to celebrate Robert Burns’ 260th birthday, why not join us as we pay a lively and joyous tribute to the life and work of our national Bard.”

Tickets cost £45 and are available to book by calling 0131 552 1974.

For more information, please visit www.atthebotanics.co.uk