“IN 19 years this is the worst storm we’ve ever had,” said Richard Baines, a curator at the Logan Botanic Gardens.
Storm Eowyn swept through Scotland last week and Mr Baines says the grounds of the gardens measured winds up to 89 miles per hour, describing them “incredible” in strength.
After the storm, he and other members of the Logan Botanic Gardens team surveyed the damage and what work will be needed.
Originally scheduled to open in February for the new season, the garden now has to delay opening to 1 March.
“We’ve still got trees over power lines,” continued Mr Baines as he described the hazardous work that must be started at the gardens, adding that the 50 trees lost and the unknown makes the work treacherous for those on the grounds.
The clean-up alone is expected to take four weeks and specialised equipment will be called in to help restore the gardens.
It’s the same situation at the Galloway House Gardens, where reconstruction has already begun.
Roy Walter, a Galloway House Gardens trustee, says that their site will remain open, but he is advising visitors to stick to main, cleared paths as the unknown of the storm’s full damage presents a danger to visitors.
Mr Walter says that there has been damage to the arboretum, large fallen trees, and blocked paths just on the initial scan.
While structures can be rebuilt, some rare plants will not return to the gardens for a while: “It’ll take a generation or two to return to something resembling any meaningful stature,” said Shaun Roper-Caldbeck, chairman of trustees at the Galloway House Gardens Trust.
With the cost of clean-up and fees going into reconstruction, both Logan Botanic and Galloway House Gardens are encouraging the public to donate if they can.
Logan has set up a giving website for people to contribute to the funds to supply clean-up equipment, while Galloway House is encouraging people to buy parking or season passes.
For those who want to get further involved, Galloway House Gardens is also hosting volunteer days for people to physically help with the clean up.
Both hope to be up and running as soon as possible.
Pic: Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
