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.

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…

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…

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…

Angiosperms

Angiosperms

Angiosperms, or flowering plants, are a very diverse and conspicuous group of plants. There are 476 families, with over 13,000 genera. The angiosperm holdings at RBGE represent collections made throughout the world, and cover the diversity of…

Diatoms

Diatoms

Diatoms occur in almost all aquatic habitats, marine or freshwater, where they can be freely suspended in water (planktonic), moving through sediments, or attached to rock or other surfaces. A few grow on land, on soil or damp rock faces, and some…

Go ahead for plans to safeguard the priceless collections of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Go ahead for plans to safeguard the priceless collections of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Go ahead for plans to safeguard the priceless collections of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has won the backing of city councillors to proceed with an ambitious £70m initiative to safeguard Scotland’s…

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