Any visit to Edinburgh is enhanced by a wander round the Royal Botanic Gardens, Inverleith, Edinburgh. Free to visit and open nearly every day of the year, the Gardens are a delightful breathing space from the congestion of the city.

Like all gardens, the Botanics is changing, adapting to the challenges of biodiversity, climate change and funding. The Glass Houses, which are A listed, are in need of major restoration, and a campaign is on to ‘Save the Palm Houses’. Donations from the public have passed £50,000 and private donors have pledged to match each pound given, taking it to £100,000. A target of £250,000 is required. The restoration of the Palm Houses is also being supported by the Scottish Government, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and Historic Environment Scotland.

That area is closed off with just a large picture of the Glass houses for you to gaze upon.

The Botanics are embracing rewilding and restoration. A Yew hedge is being grown around its perimeter and in many areas grass is not shorn down to its roots but left to grow longer with wild flowers encouraged.

The Chinese hillside garden is a delight with its focus on medicinal plants and their uses, but not all parts are accessible for wheelchair users.

For anyone needing ideas for their own garden, the fruit growing area is the place to look into. Lots of varieties of fruits etc growing in sectioned off patches demonstrating what could be achieved in even the smallest of gardens.

There is a very large visitor centre with café. On a pleasant day there is outdoor decking where you can sit overlooking the large water feature. Beware, as in all the city’s visitor attractions, these are Edinburgh prices, but the staff were excellent and the food very good.

For many people who remember the Royal Botanic Gardens in years past, it might come as a bit of a surprise to find so many changes, but that is what gardens do, they evolve and develop responding to the issues and fashions of the day.

Fiona Grahame