Botanics open on Wednesday

Following government guidance, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has been busy getting ready to reopen again.

There will be new health and safety measures.

For example, only members of staff will have access to the famous glasshouses. Visitors must book a slot online in advance of going to the garden to minimise any queuing and also to make physical distancing possible. 

There will be hand sanitiser units at entrances, and some additional temporary toilet facilities are in place. 

RGBE staff have been working hard and are really excited about reopening to the public. 

Ahead of reopening of the Botanics, Regius Keeper Simon Milne, MBE, said: “We look forward to welcoming back visitors to all four Gardens. This connection with the environment is vital for the well-being of all.

“With the safety of our staff and visitors remaining our prime concern, we have amended operations on all sites to introduce measures that should build trust and confidence. Lockdown has been a difficult time for everyone, caution is widespread and life will remain away from what we regard as normal for some time. Travel restrictions remain in place and, for the immediate future, all four Gardens will be restricted to welcoming their local communities. However, this is a first hugely important step in our return to extended outreach.”

A new measure for the reopening of the Edinburgh flagship Garden is the introduction of time slots tickets, to be booked in advance by visitors. Time slots can be booked online now. Admission to the Garden remains free of charge. A temporary booking system will enable staff to limit the number of visitors in the Garden at any one time, gradually building capacity when all are comfortable the operational guidelines work. 

More information here on the RGBE website