Best Gardens to Visit in Scotland
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a public park and botanic garden which is best known for the spectacular Kibble Palace despite the fact that it has several glasshouses. It is located in the Glasgow West End in Scotland.
The history of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens dates back to 1817 when the Royal Botanic Institution of Glasgow created the gardens in order to provide supply to the University of Glasgow. William Hooker, who was at the time Regius Professor at the Glasgow University played an important role in the creation of the Botanic Gardens until he was appointed the first Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London.
The most notable feature of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens – the wrought iron framed Kibble Palace was erected on the site in 1873. It initially stood at John Kibble’s home but it was dismantled by Kibble in the early 1870’s and reassembled on its current location. The 2,137 square meters glasshouse was originally used for concerts and venues before it came to be used exclusively for plant cultivation in 1880. One of the largest glasshouses in Britain is since then best known for its splendid collection of Australian tree ferns and other temperate plants.
From 2004 to 2006, the Kibble Palace went through an extensive renovation during which it was dismantled. The Palace was reopened to visitors in November 2006, while the entry remained free of charge.
Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh are among the most famous botanic gardens in both Scotland and the United Kingdom. The gardens were founded by Dr. Robert Sibbald and Dr. Andrew Balfour to grow medicinal plants in 1670 making the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh the second oldest botanic gardens in the United Kingdom. Next to the botanic gardens in Edinburgh, the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh takes care of three botanic gardens in Scotland - Benmore, Dawick and Logan, and a collection of over 15,000 living plants.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh covers an area of 70 acres and is most famous for its splendid collection of the Himalayan rhododendrons and the largest Palm House in Britain. They are located at Inverleith in northern Edinburgh and can be visited daily except 25 December and 1 January from 10am, while the closing hours vary from season to season. The entry is free of charge but there is a fee for the Greenhouses.
Achamore Gardens
The Achamore Gardens are amazing gardens surrounding the Achamore House on the Isle of Gigha, Scotland. The gardens were created by Sir James Horlick, the owner of the Isle of Gigha from 1944 until his death in 1973. In 2002, the Achamore Gardens and the Isle of Gigha were purchased by its inhabitants. The gardens are today owned and managed by the Isle of Gigha National Trust.
The Achamore gardens which are open to public all year round are famous for the unusual collection of plants, most notably the rhododendrons and azaleas.