Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to open visitor centre

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs Richard Lochhead will today (May 21st) officiate at the topping-out ceremony for the new John Hope Gateway Visitor Centre at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

The centre is almost complete and has been constructed using £10 million of funding from the Scottish government and £3.2 million from the Lottery Heritage Fund.

"It is particularly apt that the topping-out is during Scottish Biodiversity Week," Mr Lochhead said, explaining the department of rural affairs and environment wishes to stop biodiversity loss by next year.

He added it was pleasing to see the governments investment coming to fruition with the centre so near to completion.

One of the challenges of halting biodiversity loss is to educate the public about the issue, the politician added.

Designed as a sustainable building, the new attraction is intended to match the landscape of the RBGE.

Meanwhile, the Royal Horticultural Society is hosting its renowned Chelsea Flower Show, which was attended by the Queen earlier in the week.