The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is set to reopen one of its historic attractions following a five-year restoration.
The Palm Houses, one of Edinburgh’s "most treasured" heritage sites, date back nearly 200 years, with the oldest of the two built in 1834.
The newer, rectangular glasshouse holds the title of the tallest traditional Palm House in the world.
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Five-year restoration of Historic Palm Houses complete
This reopening marks a major milestone in the Edinburgh Biomes project, the most ambitious restoration and development programme in the garden’s history.
More than 5000 panes of custom-made glass were installed, each designed to meet the challenges of a changing climate.
The project also involved 600 square metres of repairs to the original Georgian and Victorian ironwork.
The refurbishment forms part of a wider £58m investment in the Edinburgh Biomes programme and was supported by the Scottish Government.
More than £10.6m has been raised via philanthropic fundraising and a public appeal, which also contributed £250,000 towards this project.
Before work began, 800 plant specimens were carefully relocated by horticulturists.
Around 600 of these plants, including rare and endangered species, are now returning to the Palm Houses.
One of the highlights is a stone gate palm (Trachycarpus princeps), which stands over eight metres tall and is believed to be the tallest of its kind under cultivation outside China.
When will the Palm Houses reopen?
The Palm Houses will reopen on Friday, October 2, 2026, welcoming visitors for the first time since 2021.
Regius Keeper at RBGE, Professor Julia Knights, said: "I am thrilled to be reopening the world’s tallest traditional Palm House after five years of painstaking restoration with the support of the Scottish Government and our generous donors.
"As we fight to tackle climate change and nature loss, the reopening of the Palm Houses is a globally significant moment for Scotland and the world.
"As well as celebrating our Living Collection of plants – including those endangered in the wild – this moment also reflects our work as Scotland’s global scientific centre of excellence in plant science, horticulture, education, and conservation."
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Entry to the Palm Houses will be by ticketed admission, with allocated time slots available throughout the day.
RBGE recommends early booking to avoid disappointment.
An exclusive presale is available through the RBGE website, offering early access to tickets 48 hours before general release.
Members and patrons of the garden will enjoy free entry and special preview access in September 2026.
Further booking information will follow soon.
The Palm Houses are expected to draw visitors from across Scotland and beyond, offering a rare opportunity to experience one of Edinburgh’s architectural and horticultural gems.
Is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh worth visiting?
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh comes highly recommended by visitors, boasting a near-perfect 4.6 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 7,961 reviews.
One recent review reads: "Really nice place to walk around for a couple of hours.
"The gardens are beautiful, loads to see, and it feels surprisingly peaceful considering it's so close to the city centre.
"Great views of Edinburgh too. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the city."
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Another person added: "Beautiful, serene setting in the middle of a busy city.
"While several hundred years old, the grounds and collections are extremely well maintained and updated. The paved walks are mostly flat.
"Be sure to visit the Rock Garden in the SE corner.
"Originally built in 1874, the current design is 1920’s and beautiful with many flowers, ponds, waterfall, with plants and trees from around the world."
Will you be visiting the Palm Houses in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh when they reopen in October? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
