The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is 1 mile northwest of the centre of Edinburgh / Scotland. The Main Attractions are the Visitor Centre with a Cafe and Shop, Palm House, Inveleith Mansion, and 70 acre Garden. Free to visit. Postcode: EH3 5NZ

Regular Tour Buses run to the Garden.

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The images top right are of the modern Visitor Centre with a Shop and Cafe, opened by Queen Elizabeth in 2010.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh History

1670 - the original smaller Garden was built by Holyrood Park in the centre of Edinburgh, to grow plants for medicine.

A second small Garden was close to where Waverley Train Station is today.

A third small Garden was off Leith Walk.

1773 - Inverleith House was built for James Rocheid in a large Estate 1 mile northwest of Edinburgh centre.

1820 - part of Inverleith House Grounds were bought by the City of Edinburgh to be used for their new larger Botanic Garden.

1858 - the 72ft / 22m high Palm House opened as the tallest Palm House in the UK.

1877 - Inverleith House and more of its Estate were bought to extend the Garden, with the House now used for Exhibitions.

The entrance to the Visitor Centre gives great views southeast to Edinburgh Castle in the City centre.

More History