What is the Edinburgh Biomes project?

Project overview

Arguably the most visionary and exciting project of the Garden’s 355-year history, Edinburgh Biomes is a landmark development and restoration programme.

By restoring the public and research Glasshouses, it will avoid the catastrophic loss of up to 6,000 plant species and deliver world-leading facilities that will protect the work of this national institution for the future.

Restoring the Glasshouses

The Grade-A Palm Houses have now been restored, but the 1960’s Front-Range’ Glasshouses, as well as behind-the-scenes research houses require extensive refurbishment. Their restoration will ensure the Glasshouses continue to provide a safe environment for the Garden’s priceless plant collection.

Saving our plant collection

Comprising over 13,500 plant species, RBGE’s collection includes many plants that are endangered or extinct in their native habitats. In the Glasshouses alone, there are 6,000 different species.

New facilities

Planned to take shape through a progression of stages, Edinburgh Biomes will also include new facilities including an efficient, cost-effective energy centre, that will significantly reduce the Garden’s carbon emissions and a new plant health hub which will provide a safe bio-secure propagation environment.