Calls grow to charge £4 for a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden

Published on Monday 14 September 2009 09:52

VISITORS to Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden could soon face a £4 admission fee because of a major financial shortfall.

The Botanics is looking to cover its losses after investing 1.09 million of funds with the Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander, which went into administration last October.

So far only 20p in the pound has been returned and there are fears the Botanics can expect only half its money back at the most.

Trustees have suggested to the Scottish Government an entrance fee may be the only way to be help the historic gardens recoup its losses.

A spokeswoman said: "It's the last things that anyone wants to do but we have to investigate every way forward."

Visitors to the Inverleith attraction currently pay nothing to stroll around its grounds – a major incentive for many people who spend hours there with friends and family.

A 3.50 charge is only made to those visitors wishing to enter the glasshouses, but this is set to rise to 5 in January.

Although many similar attractions already charge entry fees - including a 13 fee for visitors to Kew Gardens in London – the proposed changes at the Botanics are likely to meet opposition.

Bruce Whitehead, a musician from South Queensferry, is a regular at the garden.

He said: "If they have made the mistakes through incompetent investment, we are all a bit tired of being the last resort, carrying the can for poor decisions by management in loads of different places."

He suggested managers should pay a surcharge themselves to cover lost funds.

He said: "I don't think we should have to pay twice."

Plans for an admission fee have been outlined in a report by trustees to the government's rural and environmental research and analysis directorate which covered 85 per cent of the Botanics' 18 million budget.

It is understood the Botanics' current financial predicament has placed a strain on services, with key research posts now left vacant.

An entrance charge would require an Act of Parliament and staff would have to man the numerous entrances to the Botanics.

But yesterday in the attraction, some visitors sympathised with the Botanics' financial situation.

Rosemary Millar, a member for 20 years, said: "It would be a pity, but it's not unfair. It must cost a lot to keep the place running."

Others insisted a 4 fee would deter them from visiting.

Natalie Read, an Edinburgh University student, said: "I don't think many people will come if there's an entry fee.

"The caf is not cheap and you wouldn't want to pay on top of that. The free part of it is an attraction – it's a free day out.

"It's so pleasant to come for a stroll, for elderly people or with children."