THE Royal Botanic Gardens have released a video showing the devastating effects of Storm Éowyn on their greenhouses.
The gardens have now outlined how they intend to repair the greenhouses and ensure that the plants stay alive through the disruption.
The plans come after £70,000 – and counting – has been raised by an appeal to the public to cover the substantial costs involved in getting all four of the Scottish botanic gardens to their former glory.
Edinburgh’s botanic garden tragically lost its tallest tree to the storm, as well as hundreds of others.
The Royal Botanic Gardens also made an appearance on BBC Scotland’s storm programme earlier this week, where they explained the extensive recovery work that lies ahead.
In a video shared to social media yesterday, research collections manager Sadie Barber said: “One of the issues we’re facing is that we’re in a tropical house that enjoys being about 25 to 30 degrees.
“Currently it’s three degrees outside in the cold winter of Edinburgh, so we’re extra worried at the moment about protecting the plants that are in here – they don’t like the cold.
“With your help, any funds that you can help us with will go towards replacing the glass that’s been broken.”
The caption reads: “80% of our front range glasshouses and research houses have been damaged by Storm Éowyn, requiring significant repairs.
“Thanks to the Palm Houses restoration project, none of the new reinforced glass in our Victorian palm houses was damaged by the wind.
“Please help to rebuild what the storm took away – donate to our storm damage appeal today.”
The video shared shows construction workers scaling the side of the glasshouse, and windowpanes shattered on the ground.
Following the storm, the Royal Botanic Garden stated that they had lost over 100 panes of glass from their greenhouses, causing temperature fluctuations for the plants inside.
Storm Éowyn caused destruction across the country last month, with the Royal Botanic Gardens reporting damage in its Benmore, Dawyck and Logan locations.
The Edinburgh garden is now open with some areas cordoned off, whilst the Benmore and Logan sites prepare for openings in March, following the loss of around 350 trees between them.
