Hi Everyone,
First I must apologise for my lack of updates recently I have been very busy and, of course, would like to say: I hope you all had a great Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year when it comes. I had a very fun Christmas week staying with my parents. I saw a pantomime, visited my friends and saw the Botanic Light Show at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
http://www.rbge.org.uk/
One of my all time favourite gardens, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is situated in the heart of the Scottish capital. This garden is saturated with historical importance, paramount conservation work and the obvious passion of very knowledgeable staff.
"To explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future"- RBGE Mission Statement.
A commendable and apt phrase, the mission statement of RBGE is a great example of the goal that RBGE works towards through botany, education and horticulture. The garden is a place where people from many walks of life can merge and meet. Scientists, horticulturists, members of the public can mingle and share ideas.
Botanic Christmas Light Show
During my week at home I had the pleasure of visiting RBGE at nighttime for the Christmas light show which has been running throughout December. A fantastic way to spend an evening on the lead up to Christmas, the show has something to offer for people of all ages: couples, families and friends.
The light show had fascinating attractions compelling you around every corner with a bubble show and a light projection onto the Palm house being just a couple. My favourite part of the show was the part of the woodland garden known as Conifer walk. The walk was the last part of the trail for those who entered the garden using the east gate. Several of the trees on the walk had been wrapped in lights which change colour in time with the choir music which was playing. The piece was very effective in the darkness and created a magical atmosphere.
The light show is a wonderful way to bring people to a garden which may not normally go at any other time and bring people into the garden in the winter season. I think many more gardens and estates should use this or similar shows as a way to add revenue and wonder to a cold season. My only real criticism of the evening was that although the trail led you through and past food stalls which had a good selection of easy to eat food there was very few options in these for people with gluten intolerances, food allergies and vegetarians. The staff were very helpful and had a checklist for each item containing allergy information but still a very limited option was available. This meant my mother could not eat anything other than marshmallows and pork until later in the evening.
I sincerely hope that RBGE have another show next year and for many years to come as this may become a new family tradition. Before wrapping this post up I would just like to say I am very grateful to my mother who came along on this trip with me and has provided me with some great photographs to put up alongside this blog.
Thanks very much for reading.
Have a great new year. 😃
