This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Garden 'gateway' gets extra funding
20/11/2006
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh today took one step further towards its new state of-the-art visitor centre which will showcase the natural world.
The Executive is putting a further £5 million towards the Gateway Visitor Centre which will be designed to inspire visitors to learn about the environment they live in.
The Gateway will also allow two-way communication between visitors and locations around the globe - so that people can see sustainable working methods in Peru or an expedition to discover plants in South America or Japan.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"I saw for myself this summer the remarkable asset that is Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The Gateway Centre will ensure more people get more from their visit."
After meeting the organisations which will use the centre, Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Scotland is world renowned for its science, so it's right we use that knowledge to give Scots a better understanding of the world we live in.
"The Gateway will give visitors an insight into to their environment, in areas like climate change, biodiversity and economic sustainability. It will promote the crucial link between science, the way we live our lives and the impact that can have on the planet.
"The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a highly successful visitor attraction, so I'm pleased to announce further funding of £5 million for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Gateway project."
The Gateway Visitor Centre will support greater links and partnerships between all the research organisations the Executive funds and offer live links to leading scientists around the world. The Gateway is designed to be a model of sustainability, built and run to be as energy efficient as possible.
The latest award brings Executive support for the project to £10 million. Together with an award of £3.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the additional donations of £1.5 million already raised, this takes Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh significantly closer towards meeting its fund raising target of £15.7 million which, when reached, will allow construction to start.
Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of RBGE, added:
"There has never been a more important time to work in partnership. As has been highlighted recently, the scientific evidence is now overwhelming: an urgent, worldwide, reaction is needed to tackle the imminent threats to our environment. Yet, while climate change is of global concern, we cannot afford to ignore what is happening in our own backyard nor can we fail to advise citizens of the facts. Only by communicating the crucial messages can we empower people to make informed choices. By working together through the Gateway scientific and environmental organisations in Scotland can make a real and lasting difference."
Background
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish Executive.
The four gardens of the RBGE (Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan) comprise the National Botanic Gardens of Scotland and are numbered amongst the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland bringing together many inter-related cultural areas of activity.
Core funding (£7.688 million in 2006-07) is received from the Executive but additional support for specific projects is provided by other bodies.