Curator of Scottish botanic garden killed by falling tree

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 16:31 · Archive

Richard Baines, 60, curator of Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer, died after being struck by a falling tree during Storm Boelo on Sunday.

Richard Baines, 60, died on Sunday morning during Storm Boelo after being struck by a falling tree while walking near his home in Mid Kelton, just outside Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway. He died at the scene. He is understood to be the sole fatality from the storm in Scotland.

Baines was the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer, one of four Scottish gardens run by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. The garden is home to exotic plants benefiting from the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, described Baines as having a warmth and genuine sense of humour, and said he always made time for colleagues and supported opportunities for the next generation of horticulturalists.

During his tenure at Logan, Baines was primarily responsible for significant developments including the first public conservatory powered entirely by green energy in the UK. The garden was voted Best Garden in the UK by Which in 2021 and became the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award. Baines participated and led fieldwork in China, the Canary Islands and Vietnam, from which seven plant species new to science were catalogued. He will be remembered for his passion and enthusiasm for plants and for significantly expanding the plant collection at Logan.

How it is being reported

• First picture of Scottish man killed by falling tree during Storm BoeloRichard Baines, 60, died at the scene in Dumfries and Galloway.Daily Record · 26 Oct, 16:16
• Tributes paid to man killed by falling tree in Storm BoeloRichard Baines was the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Gardens near Stranraer.BBC Scotland · 26 Oct, 16:11

In this story: Richard Baines · Logan Botanic Garden · Stranraer · Storm Boelo · Castle Douglas · Dumfries and Galloway · Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · David Knott

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