GET OUT OF WINTRY BRITAIN & EXPERIENCE THE WARMTH OF MALAYSIA’S GARDENS IN EDINBURGH!

While it’s raining and cold in the middle of our British weather I was delighted to take refuge in the warm and welcoming Palm House at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to experience the Malaysian Glasshouse Trail.

Entering the Glasshouses through the famous 19th Century Palm House, I had my first introduction to the Malaysia Trail. Throughout the trail, there are panels that detail the scientific significance of each of the plants in addition to explaining the past and current research being carried out by Royal Botanic Garden scientists on the different kinds of flora in Malaysia. I explored the beauty of Malaysia’s flora from a different perspective within this specially created environment.

One highlight of the trail is the tropical splendour of the Orchid & Cycad House where diverse and colourful epiphytic plants grow on trees. Furthermore, at the very heart of the trail is the invitingly warm aquatic house that hosts a plethora of Malaysian plants. This is also where the trails education centre is located, and where I found a market stall stocked with traditional Malaysian products such as Malaysian coffee, chocolate, pepper and rice to take home and try.

The feature plant of the trail is the famous durian. The fruit is native to Malaysia and is known for being the smelliest fruit in the world. As it ripens it emits a repulsive odour likened to old socks and rotten onions. Thankfully it is only in its dried form on the Malaysian Market stand. The trail also features Malaysian pineapples.

Following along the trail, I came upon a house featuring Malaysia’s montane flora. I finally reached the climax of the trail in the wet tropical forests with a variety of exotic plants ranging from several types of gingers to African violets.

At the end of the trail, an information panel gives more reasons to visit Malaysia if you haven’t already made up your mind.

Throughout the trail, I gained a greater insight into Malaysia and what the country has to offer, whilst enjoying the warmth and serenity of the replicated Malaysian tropics. The trail allowed me to expand my knowledge on the research projects undertaken by the Royal Botanic Gardens in Malaysia which is fascinating for novices and plant lovers alike. Overall, the Trail gave me a good insight about the destination and provided an accurate report of the Royal Botanic Garden’s work in Malaysia.

FOOTNOTE on Glasshouse admission
2013 prices: Adult £ 4.50 / Concessions £ 3.50 / Child £ 1 / Family (2+4) £ 9.
Open daily from 10am; closing 4pm Dec & Jan / 5pm Feb & Nov / 6pm Mar – September.
www.rbge.org.uk.