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Our history

Our history

Founded near Holyrood Abbey in 1670 as a physic garden growing medicinal plants, to its present day role as a global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has had a remarkable history over…

Celebrating our 350th Anniversary

Celebrating 350 years

From 17th-century physic garden to world-leading botanic garden, 2020 marks the 350th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. In this celebratory film, staff reflect on the Garden’s history and look ahead to explain how RBGE continues…

Sustainable glasshouses

Sustainable glasshouses

Corporate information

Corporate information

Working with us

Jobs and volunteering

Science and Biodiversity Strategy 2021 - 2030

Science and Biodiversity Strategy 2021 - 2030

Launched in June 2021, our Science and Biodiversity Strategy is a direct response to the Biodiversity Crisis and the Climate Emergency. It reflects the urgent need for action to: Secure a nature-rich future in the face of global environmental…

Executive Team

Executive Team

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Executive Team comprises the Regius Keeper and four Directors.  

Dr Alex Davey

Dr Alex Davey

My role encompasses strategically planning, leading and overseeing RBGE’s research to combat the biodiversity and climate crises in Scotland and globally, growing grant income, enhancing equity, inclusion and access, and working with external…

Philip Thomas

Philip Thomas

I joined the International Conifer Conservation Programme in 1995. Since then, I have studied conifers in the field in many temperate and subtropical parts of the world including China, mainland SE Asia, New Caledonia and Chile. I am also the…

Dr Elspeth Haston

Dr Elspeth Haston

My experience is in taxonomic research, curation systems and digitisation. My work has included the development of tools, processes and workflows to aid with curation in herbaria. My current focus is on large-scale digitisation, including looking…