Tag: Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

Peking University Orchestra visits Botanics

The Peking University Chinese Music Institute Chinese Orchestra is visiting Scotland this month, under the auspices of the Confucius Institute for Scotland. As well as educational events, the orchestra will be giving two FREE public concerts tonight and tomorrow.

Monday 10 September – Chamber Concert at Reid Hall 8pm

The first formal concert takes place on tonight in the Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Place. This will be a concert of traditional Chinese chamber music performed by musicians from the Chinese Music Institute within Peking University in association with the Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh.

Tuesday 11 September – Orchestral Concert in Canongate Kirk 7pm

Taking place in the Canongate Kirk, this concert ‘The Sound of China’ will see the 60 strong Chinese Orchestra joined by a children’s choir, pipers and traditional musicians from North and East Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire schools.

For information about ticket availabilty go to www.confuciusinstitute.ac.uk/silk/director.php

The group is pictured during a visit to the Botanic Gardens earlier today

Watch the birdies at Botanics!

Fancy a bird’s eye view of some young birds of prey? You can now get up close and personal with a family of sparrowhawks at the Botanic Gardens!

In partnership with RSPB Scotland, Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group and the Scottish Seabird Centre a live ‘nestcam’ has been trained on the nest of a sparrowhawk in the Garden.

The Garden has been a key breeding site for these magnificent birds for many years and research on sparrowhawks across the City is indicating that it is one of the most productive breeding territories due to the healthy population of songbirds that make up the prey of sparrowhawks.

Live images of the sparrowhawk family can be seen at the viewpoint in the John Hope Gateway from 10am to 6pm, with interpretation of activity at the nest provided by RSPB staff and volunteers from Wednesday to Sunday 1-4pm.

RBGE

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.”