CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has praised the “pivotal work” of volunteers and staff at Dawyck Botanic Garden in Peeblesshire following a recent visit.
The attraction, which is graded five-star by Visit Scotland and managed by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, attracts nearly 40,000 visitors each year.
It is known for its seasonal displays of snowdrops, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, blue poppies and some of Britain’s oldest and tallest trees, including giant redwoods in excess of 50 metres high.
The original world-renowned Dawyck beech also still stands in good health on the site of the garden.
The Garden has won a Gold Award for Green Tourism Environmental Management, supporting sustainability measures through the use of a hydro-electric scheme powered from Scrape Burn and a sustainable biomass boiler for heating at its visitor centre.
Mr Hoy joined the Curator of the garden, Graham Stewart, for a tour of the grounds and visitor centre, which includes a gift shop, gallery and café.
Throughout the year, Dawyck Botanic Garden offers a wide programme of activities including guided tours around the garden as well as hosting seasonal events such as Mid-Summer Yoga.
Craig Hoy MSP commented: “It was fantastic to visit Dawyck Botanic Garden and discuss some of the opportunities and challenges which the garden has faced in recent years.
“Maintenance of the garden is supported by a small team of volunteers who join staff to carry out pivotal work to support our environmental heritage.
“The Queen’s Green Canopy project, which is a tree-planting initiative marking the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has recently been expanded into 2023. The garden is actively involved in this and intends to plant a conservation grove of Serbian spruce, Picea omorika, which is critically endangered in the wild. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is home to the International Conifer Conservation Project which is actively involved in preserving threatened conifers of the world. Over a third of the world’s conifer population come into this category”
Graham Stewart, Curator, said: “We were delighted to welcome Craig Hoy MSP to Dawyck Botanic Garden and to take a tour of the garden and visitor facilities. It was a great chance to showcase the work that we are doing to preserve and enhance our natural environment. As a premier Borders tourist attraction we welcome visitors from all walks of life who come to enjoy the garden and marvel at its remarkable plants and trees. In today’s fast paced world it is vitally important to enjoy the health and wellbeing opportunities that a place like Dawyck brings”
For further information on the garden and visiting times please contact the RBGE website at: https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/dawyck-botanic-garden/
