Scottish native plants, dazzling blue Himalayan poppies and fragrant rhododendrons on the Chinese Hillside were part of the programme when Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands visited the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) on Monday, June 5.

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Garden and Professor Pete Hollingsworth, Director of Science welcomed the Cabinet Secretary and explained about vital work taking place including plans to restore Scottish nature habitats under threat and collaborative projects with over 40 partners around the world.

The tour concluded with an overview of the Edinburgh Biomes project and the progress being made on the restoration of the Garden’s iconic Palm Houses.