Our history

From 17th century physic garden to world-leading botanic garden

Founded near Holyrood Abbey in 1670 as a physic garden growing medicinal plants, to its present day role as a global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has had a remarkable history over the last 350 years.

 Image: The Rock Garden, circa 1890.

A timeline of our history

 

 Image: The Pond, circa 1910.

 

Regius Keepers of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Chairs of the Board of Trustees

  • 1986 – 1994, Sir Peter Hutchison Bt CBE FRSE
  • 1994 – 1999,  Malcolm Wilkins
  • 1999 – 2007,  Dr Paul Nicolson
  • 2007 – 2011,  Sir George Mathewson CBE FCIBS FRSE
  • 2011 – 2019,  Sir Muir Russell KCB DL FRSE  
  • 2019 – present,  Dominic Fry

Celebrating our 350th Anniversary

In this celebratory film from 2020, staff reflect on the Garden’s history and look ahead to explain how RBGE continues to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.

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