The historic Palm Houses at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden have reopened to the public after a six-year restoration. The 19th-century glasshouses, which had become leaky and rusty, underwent a complete overhaul.
Hundreds of plants were temporarily relocated during the repairs, with most surviving the move. Glass house curator Sadie Barber expressed delight that the palm houses are once again protecting rare and endangered plants and allowing public enjoyment.
The restoration involved replacing over 5,000 panes of glass, repairing and repainting corroding ironwork, and renovating stonework. A partition wall between the two houses was also removed to create a more open space.
While the majority of plants were saved, a 200-year-old Sabal palm tree, which had grown too tall for the glasshouse, had to be cut down. However, seedlings were preserved, and a descendant is now growing in its place. David Knott, director of horticulture, hopes the new planting in a taller glasshouse will allow it to last longer.
Prof Julia Knights, Regius Keeper of the Botanic Garden, highlighted the importance of the palm houses in protecting numerous endangered plant species, many of which have medicinal properties.