Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh - Go to Scotland.com

If you’re looking for a relaxing activity in the heart of nature during your visit to Edinburgh, look no further! The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh are for you. Founded in 1670 by Drs. Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens is the second oldest botanic garden in the UK, after Oxford. They are a scientific institution dedicated to the study and conservation of plants.

History of the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

Historic gardens dating back to the 17th century!

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh were established in 1670 as a medicinal plant garden near Holyrood Palace by Drs. Robert Sibbald and Andrew Balfour.

In those days, medicinal plants were very important for medicine. So the two doctors decided to create a garden where medicinal plants could be studied, cultivated and used for medical purposes. The garden was moved to Inverleith in 1820 to get away from the pollution of the city.

Today, the Botanical Gardens occupy a 28-hectare site to the north of the city, in the superb Stockbridge district near Dean Village.

Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh

The four sites

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh are spread over four sites: the main garden in Edinburgh and three regional gardens scattered around Scotland (Benmore, Logan and Dawyck). Each site has its own particularity and offers unique botanical experiences.

The main garden: This is the largest and most famous of the four sites. The main garden houses an impressive collection of living plants and herbariums, as well as greenhouses housing rare and exotic plants from all over the world.
Benmore: Located in the west of Scotland, Benmore is famous for its collection of conifers and Himalayan trees.
Logan: Located in the south of Scotland, Logan is famous for its collection of tropical and subtropical plants, as well as its cactus garden.
Dawyck: Located in the Borders, Dawyck is famous for its collection of rare and exotic plants, as well as its incredible rhododendron garden.

Attractions

Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens are a popular tourist attraction for visitors of all ages. The gardens offer spectacular views over the city of Edinburgh, as well as gardens and greenhouses filled with rare and exotic plants from around the world.

Greenhouses

The greenhouses of the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh are a must for all plant lovers. They are home to over 2,400 very special plants from different parts of the world. It’s a veritable paradise for the senses. In an instant, you’ll be able to wander through a wide variety of places, from the mountains of Indonesia to the forests of Australia, from the Arabian deserts to the Amazon rainforest.

The gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh offer a variety of gardens for visitors. The gardens include perennial gardens, rock gardens, rhododendron gardens, alpine gardens, heather gardens and much more. The gardens are manicured with great attention to detail, providing a fascinating visual experience for visitors.

Local events

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh organizes numerous events throughout the year, including temporary exhibitions, open-air cinemas, enchanting end-of-year parties and much more. The events are often linked to nature and offer a unique experience for visitors.