Latest news with #RoyalBotanicGardenEdinburgh
Daily Record
05-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish city that was named best in the world for raising a family
It topped cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Choosing where to raise a family can be a difficult decision. From the quality of nearby schools to affordability, there are many different factors to weigh up. Many people choose to move to a city thanks to the sheer number of amenities on offer. Despite costs typically being higher than in smaller settlements, in terms of convenience cities cannot be beaten. One city in Scotland that was previously named the "best in the world" to raise a family is Edinburgh. The Scottish capital topped a list put together by language learning platform italki. To put together their list, italki considered a range of factors. These included safety, amenities, affordability, maternity leave, and schooling. According to the experts, Edinburgh has an overall quality of life index score of 187.7. The experts also revealed that the Scottish city benefits from the most maternity leave on the list, with 39 weeks. The results also revealed that there are 32.8 things to do per 10,000 people in Edinburgh. The city boasts a huge variety of attractions and beauty spots that can keep families entertained endlessly. One of the top family attractions in the Scottish capital is Edinburgh Zoo, which is the largest zoo in Scotland. The zoo comprises 80 acres, and is home to more than 2,500 animals. Elsewhere, as we enter the peak of summer, another popular destination for families in the city is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Highlights of the world-renowned attraction include its Rock Garden, the peaceful Woodland Garden, the Chinese Hillside, and the Rhododendron Collection. Other popular attractions in Edinburgh include Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle. The former is an ancient extinct volcano that offers spectacular views out over the city, while Edinburgh Castle includes standouts such as the Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel, and the One o'clock Gun. Edinburgh is also home to many renowned schools, both state and private. Boroughmuir High School and James Gillespie's High School are considered among the best state schools in the city, while top private schools include Fettes College and Merchiston Castle School. In terms of food, Edinburgh has no shortage of restaurants for the whole family to enjoy. Popular eateries include Mums Great Comfort Food on Forrest Road, Duck and Waffle in the city's acclaimed St James Quarter, and Bertie's Proper Fish and Chips on Victoria Street. Elsewhere, Amsterdam in the Netherlands followed behind at number two on italki's roundup. According to the experts, the cost of living in Amsterdam is lower than other cities in the top 10. Completing the top five on italki's list of the best cities in the world to raise a family were Seville in Spain, Helsinki in Finland, and Copenhagen in Denmark. Rounding out the top 10 were Munich, Madrid, Tokyo, Wellington, and Vienna. italki website. The 10 best cities in the world to raise a family Edinburgh, Scotland Amsterdam, Netherlands Seville, Spain Helsinki, Finland Copenhagen, Denmark Munich, Germany Madrid, Spain Tokyo, Japan Wellington, New Zealand Vienna, Austria
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish 'subtropical' garden that was crowned Family Venue of the Year
The attraction has been described as a "true paradise". When the sun is shining, nothing beats a trip to a garden. Thankfully, Scotland has plenty of beautiful botanic gardens to choose from—almost too many. If you aren't sure which garden to head to for a day out, one was recently named the best family venue in Scotland. As reported by the Daily Record, the Scottish Hospitality Awards were held last week—and Logan Botanic Garden at the southwestern tip of the country was crowned 'Family Venue of the Year'. To celebrate Logan Botanic Garden's win at the Scottish Hospitality Awards, we are naming the attraction as our latest Walk of the Week. The garden is situated near Port Logan on the Rhins of Galloway, and is a regional garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Described as a "true paradise" on its website, Logan Botanic Garden experiences a uniquely warm climate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. As a result, a variety of flowers and plants that are unable to grow elsewhere in the UK flourish. Among the standouts of the attraction is its Walled Garden. Here, visitors can gaze at a gorgeous selection of exotic plants and a tranquil fish pond. Elsewhere, there is a Victorian -style conservatory that features a number of rare South African plants. According to Logan Botanic Garden, it is the first all-green glasshouse in the UK. Once you have spent a few hours walking around Logan Botanic Garden, you can head to the its Potting Shed café. Here, visitors can enjoy a wide selection of home-cooked meals and yummy cakes. The Logan Botanic Garden website states: "Thanks to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate, allowing exotic plants from around the world to flourish. Its vibrant avenues and colourful borders showcase a spectacular array of half-hardy perennials and remarkable plant species rarely seen thriving elsewhere in the United Kingdom." Read on for a few images showing why Logan Botanic Garden is worth a visit. The full list of winners at the Scottish Hospitality Awards can be found on the Oceanic Awards website. For more travel inspiration, check out a selection of our previous Walks of the Week here: More On Walking and climbing Gardens and flowers Food Things to do Scotland
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Celebrations planned for 65th anniversary of Threave Heritage School of Gardening in Castle Douglas
Alumni have gone on to work at prestigious gardens such as the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Celebrations are being planned for the 65th anniversary of Threave Heritage School of Gardening. The National Trust for Scotland property on the outskirts of Castle Douglas is one of just a few horticultural education centres in the UK offering a firm grounding in both the theory and practice of gardening. Alumni have gone on to work at other trust properties as well as prestigious gardens such as the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The celebration will take place on Saturday, July 26 with alumni, former staff and supporters welcome to go along. The trust's operations manager at Threave Garden and Nature Reserve, Gareth Clingan, said: 'The School of Heritage Gardening is unique in Scotland for its combination of theoretical and practical instruction. Many former students speak of the stress of the fortnightly ident tests, but what a difference they made in their practical work in the garden. 'And one of the wonderful things about Threave is that it's tended by the students, their teachers, and volunteers, so they have a lot of involvement in its design and can take responsibility for a well-visited and well-loved working garden while they're studying. 'We're looking forward to welcoming former students and staff to attend the celebrations on 26 July and hope that we can gather people from across the country to celebrate Threave Garden, the school, and its great legacy.' The reunion, which is being held at the Stables Courtyard in Threave House form 1pm to 4pm, will give people a chance to look at a book compiled by former students Brian Stuart. The History of Threave School of Gardening 1960-2025 records the school's full story, thanks to information from principals Bill Hean, Trevor Jones and Michael Lawrie, as well as additional memories from some alumni. It will be available at the anniversary, with digital copies for those who can't attend. Head gardener for Dumfries and Galloway and head of Threave School of Heritage Gardening, Michael Lawrie, said: 'I've been involved in training students for the last 21 years, starting as a garden instructor, then as assistant head gardener, and in 2016 taking overall responsibility for the garden and school. 'In my time, I've seen more than 120 students from all around the world, from Japan and South Africa to Spain and the US, to name a few. They have all achieved the Threave Certificate, which is internationally recognised throughout the horticulture industry, as well as obtaining the RHS practical level two or three qualifications. 'It's amazing seeing the transformation from the start of their one-year course to the end, where their confidence, passion, and knowledge has excelled and led them onto the next step in their horticultural pathway, whether it be full time employment or continuing their education. 'The reunion on July 26 will celebrate what Threave has given us all in our careers, provide the chance to share memories, and allow us to meet colleagues all with one thing in common - the love and passion for Threave.' To RSVP to the anniversary event, email threave@
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Daily Record
The 'leafy' Scottish city crowned best for parks and gardens by Time Out
The city was praised for its scenic green spaces. A Scottish city has been crowned among the "best for green spaces" in the world by Time Out. On Tuesday, May 27, Time Out published a list of the "world's best cities for green space and access to nature according to locals". A total of 20 cities across the globe appear on the renowned travel website's roundup, which was based on surveys of thousands of people across the globe. Placing at number five on the list is Edinburgh. Auld Reekie was tied with Melbourne in Australia and Austin in the United States. According to the experts, 86 per cent of survey respondents had positive things to say about the Scottish capital and its various green spaces. One of the top parks in Edinburgh is Holyrood Park, which includes the famous Arthur's Seat. Additionally, the 650-acre royal park is home to lochs, glens, ridges, basalt cliffs, and more. Another popular green space in Edinburgh is Princes Street Gardens. Consisting of two adjacent parks in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens dates back to the early 19th century—following the draining of the Nor Loch that was previously situated on the site. Elsewhere, The Meadows has long been considered one of the Scottish capital's most scenic green spaces. The large public park includes primarily grassland, though there is also a playground, tennis courts, a croquet club, and more. On the other hand, one of the city's top attractions is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The free-to-enter garden spans more than 70 acres and is home to one of the biggest collections of plants in the world. The city also offers easy access to a huge variety of walks and beauty spots in the surrounding areas. Highlights include the Pentland Hills and the Scottish Borders. Time Out commented: "Auld Reekie placed joint fifth (with Austin and Melbourne), with 86 per cent of Dunediner survey respondents having positive things to say about Edinburgh's green spaces. "And there's no denying that Edinburgh is a leafy place. The gloriously green likes of Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat, Carlton Hill, Princes Street Gardens, The Meadows, The Royal Botanic Garden and much more are all within the city limits, while beaches like Portobello and Silverknowes are within easy reach. "Beyond the city itself, more expansive green spaces at Pentland Hills, Dalkeith and Vogrie are all very accessible, and the Scottish Borders aren't too far, either." Meanwhile, Medellín in Colombia was named as the best city in the world for green space. According to Time Out, 92 per cent of locals raved about the city's public parks and access to nature. Following behind in second place on the list is Boston in the United States. Elsewhere, Sydney in Australia and London in England placed joint third. See below for the full list of the top cities in the world for green spaces. More information can be found on the Time Out website. 20 best cities in the world for green space and access to nature 1. Medellín, Colombia 2. Boston, US 3. Sydney, Australia = London, UK 5. Austin, US = Edinburgh, UK = Melbourne, Australia 8. Denver, US 9. Abu Dhabi, UAE = Cape Town, South Africa = Chicago, US 12. San Francisco, US = Stockholm, Sweden 14. Montreal, Canada = Munich, Germany 16. Mumbai, India 17. Beijing, China 18. Zurich, Switzerland = Ottawa, Canada 20. Brisbane, Australia
Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Alan Titchmarsh: ‘People's eye for design deserts them when they leave the front door'
For more than 40 years, the affable ruddy-cheeked Alan Titchmarsh has encouraged Britons to get their fingers dirty and grow their garden with 'Ground Force', 'Gardeners' World' and 'Love Your Weekend'. The epitome of Yorkshire no-nonsense sensibilities, his passion for gardening and encouraging people of all abilities is one of the reasons for his enduring popularity, with fans including David Beckham and the Royal family. Now he's launched his new social media channel, 'Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh', filmed in his own garden in Hampshire. He lives with his wife of 50 years, Alison, and has two adult daughters, Polly and Camilla. Best childhood memory? I grew up in Ilkley, a small spa town in West Yorkshire, with the Moors on one side, the woods on the other, and the River Wharfe running through the middle. Nature was central to us growing up; we were always out in the fresh air. I loved fishing and getting frogspawn. Sunday afternoon walks were a weekly ritual. All these years on, I'm happiest when I'm pottering, cultivating and growing outside – I've just spent the day pruning my roses in the garden. Holidays were to Blackpool – we always went to a place called Bispham, a little town about a mile and a half from the town centre. My mother considered it the select quieter end of town, away from the 'kiss me quick' part, although it wasn't quite as posh as nearby Lytham St Annes. I loved the donkey rides, fishing for crabs and the little boating pond. I vividly remember always getting sand in my egg sandwiches! A proper old-fashioned seaside holiday. Best lesson you've learnt? Don't go where you're not wanted. It's advice I instilled in my two daughters, Polly and Camilla, who are grown-up now with children of their own. But I put a more positive spin on it for them, and said, 'Go where you're wanted and where you feel you can make a difference.' I left school at 15, with just one O-level, and became an apprentice gardener with the local council. Thanks to the encouragement from my boss there, he told me how important it was to go to college to study horticulture and then get experience at a place such as Kew Gardens or the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It was only with that nudge that I realised that's what I'd love to do, but I questioned whether I could do it. Best personal characteristic? There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. I've never been terribly confident. As a child born just after the war and growing up in Yorkshire, you were realistic about your aspirations. But I've always been ready to accept a challenge and give things a go, even if it meant falling flat on my face. Early on, I was taught that the errors in life that you regret are the errors of omission, not commission. In other words, if you do something and it doesn't work, at least you gave it a go. One of the things I prize most in life is being companionable. Jokingly, the girls would say when they were growing up that I was much more patient with plants than I was with them! I want to encourage people and learn the secrets of gardening without being judgmental. I have friends who couldn't wait to retire, but I couldn't do that – I love every minute of my job. There are days when it's challenging and there are problems, but I never dread getting up. Whether it's filming, writing, gardening or my broadcasting, it's like a sprinkling of fairy dust. Best advice for a novice gardener who doesn't know where to start? Patience, more patience and observation. Don't try to do too much at once. Don't rush things, work out what your aims are, read up about it, and look at neighbouring gardens to see what grows well and where, and what conditions it needs. My line has always been: a plant wants to grow – it's up to us not to get in the way. It's a matter of right plant, right place. Be aware of how big something can grow – but don't be afraid to dig a plant up and move it, if it doesn't work where you originally put it. If you're starting a garden from scratch, start the area immediately closest to the back, near your kitchen, not down at the bottom, because if you start from the bottom up, you'll come back in after working outside all day and not be able to tell the difference and get discouraged. So start with a few big containers, at least half a dozen, and plant things with pops of colour you like right outside the window. Then gradually work your way down to the back. This will give you more confidence as you go. Best way to encourage wildlife in your garden? Stop using pesticides and chemicals. I've been chemical-free and organic now for 40 years in my garden. When you're making the transition, you'll have two or three years where things are righting themselves. Use organic fertiliser such as blood, bone and fishmeal, which encourages the activity of soil bacteria. Have a variety of things in your garden, lots of single flowers with pollen and nectar, that will bring the insects in and grow plants that suit your soil. Don't feel you have to let it all go wild to encourage wildlife. Don't feel you just have to have British native plants – that's rubbish! You can try growing a variety of plants from all over the world because thanks to global warming and climate change, you need to future-proof your garden and be able to pivot what you're planting. Best career moment? Awards and work achievements aside, I'm actually most proud of raising a happy family with two children who are still talking to me and with whom I'm very close. We always sat at a table for dinner and (this being the pre-mobile era) just talked, anything to keep the conversation going. We weren't immune to the odd door slam, like every parent, but I'm just so grateful for them. Now they're in their 40s, with their own families, I admire everything they've achieved. I've now got four grandchildren, two boys and two girls, who are almost 10, 11, 12 and 13. The grandkids are so close, they're more like brothers and sisters. They've introduced me to Minecraft, which I just can't get my head around. I love being a grandfather, I don't force them to spend time with me; I'd rather they do it voluntarily, which is really important. The older they get, the more interesting it becomes. When they were little, they loved helping me in the garden and learning about butterflies. But again, I never forced them because you can't expect them to love something if you do that. Worst thing you can do in your garden? Design isn't just for inside your four walls. Look at Grand Designs: you have an amazing house after years of work, and then Kevin [McCloud] goes back and looks at the end result. And outside the front door, they've plonked three or four nasty blue ceramic pots, almost as an afterthought. And I think, 'How can you do this?' Not only because those were the in thing in the 1990s, when I did Ground Force, but more because, why does your eye for design suddenly desert you when you leave your front door? Think about kerb appeal and have a vision. I'm lucky that I have an eye for beauty and form, both inside and out. Regarding your front garden, give yourself half a dozen big, handsome containers in no more than three materials – don't have too many types or lots of small ones, because it'll look cluttered, and they dry up and die more quickly. Plant them thoughtfully with some evergreens that will keep their form year-round. Worst pet peeve? What really irks me is what a hard time farmers are having right now. In 1950, 30 per cent of our income used to go on food, and now it's between 8 and 12 per cent. Food is too cheap; we don't pay enough for it. We've become addicted to our daily Starbucks or Netflix, mass-produced consumables and quick fixes, rather than things that are most important to life, such as good-quality food, and by that I don't mean a posh restaurant meal. We need a return to learn the value of more simple things in life and support grass-roots local producers. We've got so used to paying next to nothing for food and it's compounded by the current cost-of-living crisis, where many people can't afford to pay more, which then has a knock-on effect in terms of overall health. It will take a mammoth mindset shift in terms of habits to right this wrong. The alternative is that we just get more and more cheap imports, and the proud British farming industry is decimated. Food security regulations in mainland Europe are nothing like ours, so it's a downward spiral that we need to break, and we need more encouragement for farmers to grow. People who don't really know the ins and outs of it might say they [farmers] get so many subsidies, but they've been forced into that by a system of agriculture that is broken. Buy locally and seasonally is a great start for consumers. Enjoy the postponement of gratification and anticipation; wait for things to come. Stop eating foreign strawberries in January. I want to encourage people to do small things in their garden or green space, even if it is just a few edible plants. It's showing that you're creating something, as opposed to being a consumer. You'll value it more. Worst travel experience? Once, when the children were younger and we were on a camping holiday in Italy, my daughter fell over and really hurt herself. I raced over to check, chucking my wallet on the roof of our transit van. Once the commotion was over, I drove off, forgetting my wallet, and of course it was gone when I went back to find it. Who knows where it flew off?! Worst habit or trait? I can't think of what you're talking about [chuckling]. I'm very bad at relaxing; no, I find gardening relaxing, I should say I'm bad at sitting still. I can just about watch telly for two hours, if it's a good drama, but other than that, no. I like to potter and the problem with having a lovely garden is that I just want to be in it. I collect books as well, which I love immersing myself in. I'm with Cicero, who said if you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Worst fear for the future? I'm fearful of a world that relies more and more on technology and social media, because it reduces the connection with the outside world and nature, and in turn reduces the connection with the bigger picture of taking care of it. You need to feel and experience nature or see it. It's alien to a lot of people now, and I feel very sad about that. I'm launching my new gardening channel, Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh, across social media, to help counteract this and because I want to share my passion and to help people grow things better. Social media is both a good servant and a bad master. I'm not a Luddite and I'm not saying social media shouldn't exist. Just that it seems to encourage a lot of bitterness and arguing. Just look at the way my avocado comments have blown up over the years. You're allowed your opinion, and I'm allowed mine. You can disagree but you can do so without being disagreeable and insulting. 'Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh' launched in April. The weekly YouTube episodes will offer viewers a mix of 'how-to videos', informative tips, specific masterclasses and advice from Alan. The videos will be published simultaneously on newly created YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts.
