Our 'Beginning Botany' short courses are an ideal introduction to the green kingdom, looking at the incredible diversity and adaptability of plants. For something more focused, our one-day workshops are a great way to acquaint yourself with many of our native plants and fungi. They allow you to brush up on your identification skills, as well as finding out a little bit about the ecology, ethnobotany and importance of many of our native species.
You can view our forthcoming botany courses below.
If you would like to get more serious about field botany - perhaps as part of your job or university studies - you can join our Certificate in Practical Field Botany course. To take your studies to a postgraduate level we offer an MSc in the Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants.
Forthcoming botany and science courses
Wonderful Wildflowers
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Sat 22 June 2013
Join Phil Lusby for an illustrated guide to native wildflowers. The day includes a hands-on workshop to teach you some basic skills, plus a field trip for a chance to put them into practice.
RBGE Certificate in Field Botany (Kindrogan) *ILA
Sat 13 — Sat 20 July 2013
This 7 day course will provide an introduction to the range of practical field botany skills involved in carrying out field collection, surveying, identification, preservation and curation of botanical specimens. Will suit amateurs and professionals.
RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (mornings) *ILA
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Wed 14 Aug 2013 — Wed 25 June 2014
This internationally recognised qualification provides a broad-based understanding of horticultural techniques and plant biology.
RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (evenings) *ILA
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Wed 14 Aug 2013 — Wed 25 June 2014
This internationally recognised qualification provides a broad-based understanding of horticultural techniques and plant biology.
Adult Education Open Evening
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Thurs 5 Sept 2013
Come along and meet our tutors to discover our latest range of courses...
Fabulous Fungi - Beginners
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Sat 21 Sept 2013
An introduction to the identification of fungi.
Botany for Beginners
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Thurs 26 Sept — Thurs 21 Nov 2013
Aimed at the complete beginner and using living plants from the garden, this eight-week course investigates the identifi cation, function and ecology of familiar plant species.
Ethnobotany (Plants and People)
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Thurs 3 Oct 2013 — Thurs 9 Jan 2014
This 11-week course looks at the ways in which humans have used plants from preagricultural societies, through to the drive for sustainable plant use in the present day. A module of the BSc in Horticulture with Plantsmanship.
Marvellous Mosses - Beginners
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Sat 26 Oct 2013
Learn to identify some of the common species of mosses and liverworts through an introduction to identification using keys.
Lovely Lichens
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Sun 9 Mar 2014
An introduction to the fundamental features of lichens.