A warm and safe welcome back is imminent for visitors to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s four sites around Scotland, allowing local communities the opportunity to reengage with nature and enjoy the health and well-being benefits of access to the outdoors. As the country emerges from lockdown, teams across the organisation are gearing-up for opening the public gates on Wednesday, July 1.

In line with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement on “Scotland’s Route map through and out of the current lockdown,” and reflecting her update in Parliament today (Thursday, June 18) 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.

ENDS

For further information, interviews or images, please respond to this email or contact Shauna Hay on 07824 529 028 

EDITOR’S NOTES

Regular visitors returning to any of the four Gardens will be invited, for a limited duration, to take advantage of special offers on Membership. Keep up to date on membership news and events at www.rbge.org.uk/membership

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a leading international research organisation delivering knowledge, education and plant conservation action around the world. In Scotland its four Gardens at Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan attract more than a million visitors each year. It operates as a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Government. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by Ministers. Its mission is “To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.” Learn more: www.rbge.org.uk