Name: Palm House Tour - 21 March, 10.30am
Start: 2026-03-21T10:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-21T11:30:00+00:00
Location: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Botanic Cottage

Join us for the very first tours of our newly restored Palm Houses as replanting gets underway!
About this Event

These tours are open to all members of the public and will give you a behind-the-scenes look at this landmark heritage site as we begin to reveal the renovations that have been taking place and as the process of replanting the Living Collection is underway. Led by a member of the Public Engagement team, you will gain an insight into the history of the building, the restoration process and some of the key Garden stories linked to the venue.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime view of these magnificent botanical buildings and spaces are limited!

A note on accessibility

The Palm Houses are still in the final stages of renovation, with some active building work still taking place. As such, pathways and flooring are incomplete and we cannot guarantee that the access route will be suitable for those who use wheelchairs or walking aids at the time these tours will take place. If you have any questions about the suitability of the route for your needs, please get in touch at [email protected] and a member of the team will be able to advise.

Things to be aware of:

The meeting point for tours will be outside the front of the Botanic Cottage; please follow signage once on site or ask a member of the Visitor Welcome Team for directions.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour so that we have time to cover some essential housekeeping.

There are no toilets in the Palm House, but facilities will be available in the Botanic Cottage at the start of the tour.

Tours will last approximately 1 hour and will be led by a member of the Public Engagement Team.

Please note that these tours will only cover our Palm Houses – our full Glasshouse range remains closed to the public at this stage.

Health & Safety:

There is a short walk of about 10 minutes between the Cottage and the Palm Houses, so please dress for the weather and bring an umbrella if needed. The route is likely to have areas of muddy and uneven ground - please ensure you have read the note on accessibility above, and if you have any questions please get in touch via the contact details provided so we can advise.

Please ensure you wear closed-toe shoes for the tour - this a Health & Safety requirement for entering the Palm Houses. Footwear should be appropriate for muddy and uneven ground - we recommend sturdy walking boots or wellies.

All tour attendees will be provided with a high-vis vest which must be worn whilst on the tour. This is a Health & Safety requirement for entering the Palm Houses.

Pay What You Want Tickets

£20 is the recommended price per place on each tour, but we are also operating a ‘Pay What You Want’ ticket type. This option is available for those who would like to set their own price based on budget or personal circumstance - you can choose to pay above or below the General Admission price. All profit from ticket sales supports our vital plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and around the world. Ticket sales directly contribute to our wider work, helping us to tackle the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency, and to build a positive future for plants, people and the planet.

Cancellation

Refunds can be requested up to 5 days before your tour is scheduled to take place. In the event that a tour has to be cancelled due to high winds, snow/ice or other weather warnings, we will notify you via email by 5pm the day before.

I have a question

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions section below. If these don't answer your query, please email [email protected] and a member of the team will be happy to help.