The role and importance of botanic gardens at a time of great biodiversity loss and climate change were some of the topics for discussion during a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) today (May 31) by Lord Charles Allen, Chairman of Balfour Beatty.

The visit took place at the Garden’s heritage Palm Houses, currently being restored by construction giant Balfour Beatty as part of RBGE’s visionary Edinburgh Biomes project. The renovations will help to protect the Garden’s Living Collection of plants, many of which are endangered or extinct in the wild.

On arrival, Lord Charles was met by Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE, Hector MacAulay, Managing Director Scotland, Balfour Beatty, Colin Reid, Senior Project Manager, Balfour Beatty and Angela Pllu, Environment and Sustainability Manager, Balfour Beatty.

After learning more about how the project was progressing, Lord Charles was invited to tour the hard-hat site and see how the Palm Houses’ deteriorating stonework, iron and glass is gradually being restored and replaced.

The Palm Houses are being restored thanks to support from the Scottish Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston and other supporters.