The Royal Botanic Gardens

One of my favorite places to spend a sunny afternoon is at the Royal Botanic Gardens.  Located between Princess Street and the Firth of Forth, the Royal Botanic Gardens encompasses over 70 acres and is one of the largest Botanic Gardens in the world.  The majority of the Gardens are free to anyone.  The only cost is for the Glass Houses which display palm trees, orchids, and other tropical displays.

The History of the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RGBE) dates to 1670 when it began as a physics garden near Holyrood Palace.  What started as one of the first Botanic gardens in Britain between two doctors looking to import and grow medicinal plants grew immensely over the years to now house over 14 separate gardens, restaurants, and a large, community oriented walking path through the gardens.

One of my favorite exhibits at the RGBE is the Alpine, or Rock Gardens.  This outdoor exhibit features over 5,000 species along a wandering trail through an Alpine hillside.  This garden features sub-arctic, high-mountain, pasture plants, and those typically found in shade.  Another favorite garden with visitors is the Chinese Garden.  Set in the center of the RGBE, the Chinese Hillside not only features over 16,000 local plants (the largest display outside of China) but a walk to the top also features a fantastic view of downtown Edinburgh.  What I find most interesting about the Chinese Hillside is that the plants have largely been allowed to "drift" and create their own display.  While there is a distinct border to this garden, the plants have found their own way which results in a very natural looking garden.

Monkey Puzzle Trees!

The RGBE also features a great restaurant in the middle, The Gateway, which has local favorites, tea, and other snacks.  It is a nice place to take a breather while walking through the Gardens.  Near the main entrance to the Gardens there is a shop which not only has your typical souvenirs but also has a great display about the history of the gardens and an interactive map.  One of my favorite displays are the young and old Monkey Puzzle Trees.  These trees became a favorite of mine during my first trip to Scotland when there were a few growing in the gardens of the house where I was living.  To me, the trees look so different from other Pine trees in the US that I also make a point of visiting the trees at the garden because they are such a curiosity.  Anyone with a free day, and nice weather, should spend some time in the Royal Botanic Gardens. While you might not have enough time to see every garden in the 70 acres, a wander through even a part of the gardens will be well worth your time.

For anyone who can't make it to Edinburgh, the Royal Garden Society has a great highlight Video showing off the gardens.