WHEN STAFF at Benmore Botanic Garden arrived at work on Saturday they were greeted with the heartbreaking sight of extensive damage to the world- renowned collection in the wake of Storm
Éowyn.
The garden is one of four run by the Royal Botanic Garden based in Edinburgh, and a spokesperson said that Benmore staff had yet to completely assess all of the Cowal garden.
However, damage was described as ‘considerable’, and there was a warning that the situation will take time to fully assess, and ‘considerable’ time before starting to clear the destruction and moving on to restoration. Staff at Benmore report many large trees down and many tops snapped out of others. There is also, staff report, significant path and drainage infrastructure damage. The nursery is badly damaged, including the glasshouse which has been totally destroyed. The roofs of the tractor shed and several courtyard buildings are badly damaged. The garden is in the process of engaging a new curator after the recent retirement of Peter Baxter from the position.
Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE said from his Edinburgh office: “While the destruction across all four sites of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is considerable, the devastation being witnessed at Benmore is particularly distressing. The task of assessing the full extent of the damage is ongoing.
“Over 100 trees have been lost across this, our biggest Garden, and was with real sadness that we witnessed the damage to a redwood in our famous Avenue. The landscape of the garden will change as we undertake the clear up and replant new and exciting specimens relating directly to our science, horticulture and education work. Benmore remains a special and important place for all who know it in Scotland and beyond. That’s why the determination is there to come back strong, to make it safe and let the restoration begin. The teams at all four of our gardens have massive challenges ahead and we are grateful for the words of support flooding in. We are also extremely heartened by the initial response to our Storm Damage Appeal. Launched on Monday afternoon, it is already approaching £20,000. Thank you to everyone already contributing, to help us restore the living collections and the infrastructure of Edinburgh, Benmore, Logan and Dawyck.”
Benmore Botanic Garden is currently closed, with the season not beginning until March 1. People are advised not to visit until then.
We expect more detail of the damage and restoration plans soon.
