Stories from the Edinburgh Biomes

• Tour the restored Palm Houses

  • Step inside the newly restored Palm Houses and discover how the team is preparing for replanting.

• Preparing the plants for their return

  • Explore the care and planning behind the return of hundreds of plants to their restored home.

• From restoration to revelation

  • As the scaffolding came down, see how much progress on the Palm Houses restoration was revealed.

• Windows into another world

  • Explore the replacement of ageing glass with a modern solution, alongside the restoration of Victorian ironwork window frames.

• Blooming marvellous Amorphophallus

  • Discover how the team are caring for this extraordinary, endangered plant and what its survival means for global conservation.

• Restoring the Palm Houses, May 2025 update

  • See the significant advances made during the first two years of restoration work.

• Conserving our Victorian ironwork

  • Step inside Shepley Engineers’ Sheffield workshop to see Palm House ironwork being restored and renewed.

• Restoring the Palm Houses, July 2023 update

  • As the Palm Houses were safeguarded by protective cladding, learn about the vision, complexities, and challenges of the project.

• Saving the Tree Ferns

  • Learn how our team carefully relocated and cared for rare tree ferns to ensure they survive and thrive.

• Generating heat and power

  • Learn how new energy systems will cut carbon emissions and secure a greener future for the Botanics.

• Protecting endangered species

  • Discover how Edinburgh Biomes is safeguarding endangered plants and protecting biodiversity for generations to come.

• Celebrating the Sabal palm

  • Discover the story of the Sabal Palm - an iconic plant cared for and protected through the Biomes project.

• Fighting plant disease

  • Amid rising pests and diseases, hear how the Plant Health Hub will provide a secure base for vital research on plant pests and pathogens.

• Restoring the Palm Houses, March 2022 update

  • Part of Scotland’s architectural heritage and home to a priceless plant collection, learn how the Palm Houses had deteriorated over decades, leaving them fragile and at risk.

• Moving our Living Collection

  • Discover how thousands of plants were carefully relocated to protect the Living Collection during the Palm House restoration.

Discover more

• Value enhanced research and conservation
• Meet the Team
• Meet the plants
• What’s new?