The Benmore Botanic Garden Visitor Facilities project is a carefully considered intervention within one of Scotland’s most sensitive and internationally significant landscapes. Developed for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the scheme delivers a new, purpose-built visitor building alongside a reconfigured arrival sequence, integrating accessible sanitary provision, covered external spaces and sustainable travel infrastructure.
The architecture adopts a restrained, low-profile form, expressed through natural timber cladding and an extensive living roof, allowing the building to sit quietly within its woodland setting while reinforcing the garden’s landscape-led character. The design prioritises inclusivity, legibility and environmental performance, with features including Changing Places facilities, improved parking and circulation, and a cycle hub with EV charging and repair provision. Shaped by planning policy from the outset, the project demonstrates a balance between functional requirements and a sensitive, nature-based design approach, enhancing the visitor experience while respecting the unique qualities of the National Park context.
Sector: Culture & Community
Status: Planning
Client: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Status: Planning / RIBA Stage 3
Date: 2026
