At the garden gate

     We are regular visitors to Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens, and have watched with interest as their John Hope Gateway building has been constructed over the last two years or so. It is now open and we've been to take a look.

The building houses exhibition areas (the Wych Elm exhibition is full of beautiful things), audio-visual displays, a shop with outdoor plant sales area, and we're looking forward to trying the restaurant, reached by a rather striking spiral staircase:

 

The exterior includes a large terrace, and I love the use of stone and wood:

 
While in time there will be a biodiversity garden next to the building, for now there is a wild flower meadow featuring ....

Comments

[Jennifer]

It looks like a beautiful afternoon, I love the stone work and wood as well. Gorgeous flowers.

[Cornflower]

They haven't quite finished the landscaping yet, Jennifer, but I think when that's done and the building's properly bedded into its site it will look very good.

[Rebecca]

Oh my, that staircase is a work of art.

[Joanna]

The last time I visited the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, there was a hole in the ground at just that spot, and no hint of such a wonderful building. Time for another walk there. Another wonderful Edinburgh staircase to love (the Queen's Gallery stairs would be worth going to see even if the gallery was empty)

Joanna

[Cornflower]

You are right, Joanna - the Queen's Gallery staircase is beautiful!

[Fran]

The building was almost complete on my visit in August; another work trip to your lovely city next month so I must try to fit in a visit just to see that staircase. I too saw the cornflowers, but couldnt get such a good close up of them as yours.

[Karen]

The staircase is simply beautiful. How I miss Edinburgh.

[Nancy]

I love the patterning in all that woodwork - even the walkway. Maybe I'll get there one day and see it for myself.