Library Collections

Library Collections

The RBGE Library holds over 1 million items – books, journals, original artworks, maps and much more. As one of Scotland's National Collections, all of these items are available for use by anyone that needs to access them.

Accessing the Collections

Accessing the Collections

Our collections are used for a wide range of research purposes and can be accessed physically by visiting the collections. Virtual access is provided through digitisation requests, which once complete are available on our online catalogue and can…

Our Collections

Our Collections

The Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh holds around 3 million specimens of plants and fungi from across the world and covers a time-span of over 300 years. The oldest specimen dates from 1697. We receive up to 30,000 specimens each…

Rules for the Consultation of Archives and Special Collections

Rules - Archives and Special Collections

The items in these collections are extremely rare and potentially irreplaceable and users are therefore asked to use more than ordinary care when handling them. The Head of the Library reserves the right to refuse requests for access to items in…

Collections

Collections

Photographic Collections

Photographic Collections

Dr Olwen Grace, Deputy Director of Science (Collections) | Curator of the Herbarium

Dr Olwen Grace, Deputy Director of Science (Collections) | Curator of the Herbarium

I am Deputy Director of Science at RBGE, responsible for the Preserved Collections, which include our Herbarium, Library and Archives. These precious collections hold contemporary as well as historic records of biodiversity, memory and culture in…

DNA from the Collections

DNA from the collections

Extraction from a wide phylogentic range of material, as well as from different tissue types (including leaf, flower, bark) and methods of preservation (fresh, silica, herbarium etc.). Assessment of DNA quantity and quality.

Historical Collections

Historical Collections

Collections unite across the UK

Collections unite across the UK

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is proud to be taking part in the 'Towards a National Collection' project, to unearth connections between cultural and heritage collections across the UK.    Towards a National Collection We write as the united…