Tributes have poured in for Richard Baines, the dedicated curator of Logan Botanic Garden, who tragically died after being struck by a falling tree during the height of Storm Boelo.
Mr. Baines, 60, was walking near his home in Dumfries and Galloway on Sunday when he was killed as the severe weather system swept across Scotland, bringing dangerous 80mph gusts that caused widespread travel disruption and power outages.
The loss of the acclaimed botanist has sent shockwaves through the horticultural community. David Knott, director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, led the tributes, describing Mr. Baines as an “enthusiastic plantsman” whose contributions were “immeasurable.”
“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many,” Mr. Knott said. “He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan, including the first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK.”
During his tenure, Mr. Baines was instrumental in transforming the garden, which is a regional site of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Under his guidance, the garden earned numerous accolades, most notably being voted the best garden in the UK by Which? in 2021. Beyond his administrative successes, he was a passionate field researcher, leading expeditions to China, Vietnam, and the Canary Islands. His work was so significant that seven plant species collected during his research are currently being published as new to science.
Mr. Baines’ death comes as part of a wave of dangerous incidents triggered by the storm. In a separate incident in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross, two women were hospitalized after being struck by another falling tree.
While Storm Boelo begins to move away, the danger is far from over. The Met Office has issued fresh yellow weather warnings as further strong winds and heavy rain are expected to batter the UK on Monday and Tuesday. Forecasters warned that the continued adverse conditions could hamper recovery efforts in regions already pummeled by the storm, which delivered a third of a month’s rainfall in some parts of Scotland.
The Met Office has placed a yellow warning for high winds into effect from 3am Tuesday until midnight, covering the far north of England, Scotland, and the far north-east of Northern Ireland. Gusts in excess of 70mph are expected, particularly in the Hebrides and exposed coastal areas.
While meteorologists predict that high pressure will finally bring more settled, drier conditions from Wednesday night onwards, the nation remains on high alert as clean-up operations continue following the weekend’s devastating gales.
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