Cruickshank Botanic Gardens

Established in 1898, the 4.45 ha (11-acre) Cruickshank Botanic Garden is located in the Chanonry of Old Aberdeen, forming part of the King's College campus of the University of Aberdeen. The garden was founded through a bequest from Miss Anne Cruickshank, given in memory of her brother Dr. Alexander Cruickshank. Their father had been Regius Professor of Mathematics in the University. Miss Cruickshank bought the buildings and surrounding playing fields of The Old Aberdeen Gymnasium, which had been a private school for boys, and created a charitable trust to establish and maintain the botanical garden. Thereafter adjacent parcels of land were successively acquired to extend the size of the garden, most recently in 1966, allowing the creation of an arboretum to the north, which is home to native trees as well as a wide variety of exotic species.

Planting of the garden had to begin again following the First World War because, during the course of that time, the entire area was turned over to the production of vegetables. Today, in addition to sunken, rock, rose and water gardens, there are fine collections of rhododendrons, dwarf conifers, alpines, succulents and rock plants.

The garden is run as a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and the Cruickshank Charitable Trust, although most of its funding comes from the University. The Cruickshank Building, housing the University's Department of Plant and Soil Science, lies next to the main entrance.


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