The Royal Botanic Garden is located less than one kilometre from the city centre in downtown Edinburgh, Scotland. This 70-hectare location serves as a prominent scientific centre for the study of flora as well as a popular tourist attraction remarked for its diversity of plant life. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, referred to as RBGE, is one of four major sites across Scotland, recognised as the presiding body of the entity and boasting over 13,302 plant species.
The major highlights of the Royal Botanic Garden include the world-famous Rock Garden, remarked for its concentration of alpine plants and the Herbaceous Border, the Scottish Heath Garden which serves as an authentic representation of plants native to Scotland, the visually stimulating labyrinth of the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden and the unique Chinese Hillside. The Victorian Temperate Palm House is another notable attraction, boasting the exclusive Windows of the World exhibit and the Inverleith House located in the centre of the garden.
The nearest railway station to the Royal Botanic Garden is the Waverly Station located 2.5 kilometres away. Walking is the easiest way to access the West Gate at Arboretum Place or the East Gate on Inverleith Row from the station. Multiple Lothian Buses stop on Inverleith Row near the East Gate of the Garden as well as the main reception area. Taxis are in abundance, along with bicycle racks and parking lots available on site.
The Royal Botanic Garden was originally developed for the production of medicinal plants by Dr. Robert Sibbald and Dr. Andrew Balfour in 1670. Oxford University contains the only garden in Britain that exceeds the size of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.