Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Specimen tree, weeping form, in the arboretum; Glasgow Botanic Gardens is an arboretum and public park located in the West End. It features several glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace. The gardens were first begun in Sauchiehall Street in 1817, and run by the Royal Botanic Institution of Glasgow (founded by Thomas Hopkirk of Dalbeth). William Hooker was regius professor of botany at Glasgow University, and contributed to the development of the Botanic Gardens before his appointment to the directorship of Kew Gardens in London. The present site was acquired and developed in 1842. The gardens were originally used for concerts and other events, and in 1891 the gardens were incorporated in to the Parks and Gardens of the City of Glasgow. The site was once served by a railway line, and Botanic Gardens Railway Station remains today in a derelict state, hidden behind some trees. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 7/7/2012