Hugh Philpott, British Ambassador to Tajikistan got an insight into the long-standing relationship between the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Central Asia during a visit today.

Mr Philpott was welcomed to the Garden by Regius Keeper, Simon Milne; Professor Peter Hollingsworth, Director of Science; David Knott, Curator of the Living Collections and Dr Alan Forrest, a researcher with the Centre for Middle Eastern Plants before a visit to RBGE’s Archives and Herbarium. Mr Philpott was shown a letter by Charles Darwin, historic photographs and preserved plant specimens, all relating to Central Asia or Tajikistan, a focus for research and conservation work by Ian Hedge, a research associate at RBGE, and colleagues.

Mr Philpott then enjoyed a walk to the Woodland Garden where he planted a Prunus Sogdiana (almond) which grows in Central Asia. The tree was grown from seed collected by horticulturist John Mitchell during a fieldtrip.

At the end of his visit, Mr Philpott was presented with RBGE publications, including Scottish Plant Lore: An illustrated flora by botanist Greg Kenicer.