Our £4.8million grant supported the Botanics’ ambitious £58.1m Edinburgh Biomes project, which has carefully repaired the tallest traditional Palm Houses in the world.
All 5,750 panes of glass were replaced with toughened glass that is more resilient to wilder winter weather. 600m² of ironwork was fully restored or replaced and 500m² of sandstone repairs were carried out. A partition which divided the Palm Houses into temperate and tropical zones has been removed, opening up the cathedral-like space.
New interpretation has improved the visitor experience within the Palm Houses, encouraging people to learn more about the nearly 600 precious plant specimens that were returned to their historic home.
Our grant also funded an extensive community programme that created opportunities for local people to connect with nature. The project particularly reached out to young people, diverse ethnic communities, D/deaf and disabled people and people from economically deprived areas including North Edinburgh.
In just one example from the engagement programme, five community groups took part in 21 creative sessions at the Botanics with artists, musicians and specialists from the gardens to explore the connections between plants, places and people. They attended a community event before the Palm Houses reopened to see the music, textile banners, ceramic vessels and Palm House tea blend they had created on display.
Other activities included:
- employability, training and volunteering opportunities created through apprenticeships, work placements and skills sharing
- award-winning education outreach for communities, schools and nurseries across Scotland which raised awareness of biodiversity loss and support for nature conservation
- tours, online content and events which will keep audiences connected with the glasshouse restoration project beyond the reopening
Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The Palm Houses have always been places of wonder, discovery and connection. Now, with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project has brought new people, stories, creativity and perspectives into these historic spaces.”
