RBGE's new biodiversity and information centre, currently being constructed at the Edinburgh Garden's former West Gate, is to be named The John Hope Gateway when it opens in 2009. The name, submitted by Dr Ian Rolfe in the recent naming competition, was chosen from over 200 entries.
The name commemorates RBGE's first Regius Keeper from 1761-1786, Professor John Hope, responsible for unifying the Gardens at one site on Leith Walk.
"John Hope was a leading botanist and surgeon as well as an incredibly enthusiastic teacher," says RBGE's Development Officer Mike Robinson. "The new Gateway encapsulates his passion for communicating about plants and nature."
For more about RBGE's history and Professor John Hope, see History and A brief chronology pages.
To find out more about the John Hope Gateway, see the Gateway page