Friends of Glasgow Botanic Gardens share the story of a West End treasure

Glasgow Botanic Gardens are one of the West End's best loved green spaces, and a dedicated group of volunteers is helping visitors discover their story. The Friends of Glasgow Botanic Gardens have a simple wish: that everyone enjoys the Gardens as much as they do.

Throughout 2026, the Friends ran their season of free guided tours of the Gardens, which finished in the main gardens on Saturday 26 September, followed by a limited number of tours of the Arboretum in October, meeting beside the Kirklee entrance on Ford Road. The tours are free, cannot be booked and are limited to 15 people per guide, and groups of six or more can ask about a dedicated guide.

The Gardens have a remarkable history. They were founded in 1817 by Glasgow botanist Thomas Hopkirk, with the support of local dignitaries and the University of Glasgow, on an eight-acre site at Sandyford at the western end of Sauchiehall Street. Hopkirk donated 3,000 plants to start the collection.

Under William Jackson Hooker, professor of botany from 1821, the collections grew to 12,000 by 1825, before Hooker went on to become director of Kew. In 1842 the Gardens opened on their present site on the banks of the River Kelvin.

The famous Kibble Palace, now home to a forest of tree ferns, was originally a private conservatory at Coulport on Loch Long. It was moved to the Gardens in 1873 and was first used as a concert hall and meeting place.

Today the Gardens are a documented collection of plants for conservation, education and research, and home to several national plant collections, including dendrobium orchids, tree ferns and begonias. The Friends believe the Gardens are a precious gift to be enjoyed by all.

The Friends' website is designed to inspire visitors near and far, whether next door neighbours or people on the other side of the world, to enjoy the Gardens in person or online.

Anyone interested in training as a volunteer guide is encouraged to get in touch, ready for next year's tour season.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens are in Glasgow's West End. Information on visiting, tours and joining the Friends is at glasgowbotanicgardens.com.