Botanics Lates - Friday 14 Aug
About this Event
Enjoy everything nature has to offer with exclusive after-hours access to the Edinburgh Garden. Join us at Botanics Lates for an unforgettable evening of live music, creative workshops and visual art. Explore the beauty of our blooms at dusk, with the chance to chat with our experts and learn more about our exhibitions and plants. Designed exclusively for over 18s, this is a rare opportunity to dance among the trees, soak up breathtaking city views, and relax on the lawn with refreshing drinks and delicious food. A sanctuary in the heart of the city – gather friends, unwind in nature and enjoy a Friday evening like no other.
This event is part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
PROGRAMME:
- DJ: Carmen Baía
Join Carmen Baía on Inverleith House Lawn for a set that moves seamlessly through Latin-inspired percussion, jungle pressure, baile funk and stripped-back house. Expect a hypnotic blend of rhythms and high-energy selections as she transforms the lawn into an open-air dancefloor beneath the summer sky.
A Glasgow-based DJ at the forefront of the UK's underground scene, Carmen is known for her eclectic, high-intensity sound and instinctive approach to rhythm. A longstanding resident with Breathe Glasgow and Radio Buena Vida, she has recently taken to larger stages including TRNSMT and FLY Open Air. With sold-out shows across Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, Carmen has quickly established herself as one of Scotland's most exciting rising selectors.
- DJ: Bartek
Unwind on the Deck Bar and enjoy the soothing and chilled out sounds of Bartek as you sip, relax and take in views of the Garden. Expect a carefully curated soundtrack that sets the perfect mood for a memorable summer evening.
Bartek is DJ & Producer hailing from Poland via Fife, and now a mainstay in the Edinburgh music scene. A Sneaky Pete's resident, EHFM Radio stalwart, and burgeoning producer. He has an unmistakable talent and passion for creating special dancefloor moments and thrives on pushing boundaries offering electrifying sets.
- Live Music: Scottish Folk Sessions
Enjoy an evening of live Scottish folk music under the trees with Jessica Conway, Robin Hiley and Chris Rawson, from the internationally touring folk musical Lifeline, (off-Broadway and off-West End). Drawing on traditional songs that celebrate Scotland's landscapes, the trio combine rich vocals, fiddle, guitar and bodhrán to create a magical evening of folk storytelling. Together, they offer a memorable soundscape on a summer's night enveloped by the Garden.
- Earth Matters Exhibition
Earth Matters marks 300 years since the birth of James Hutton, the Edinburgh-born geologist, farmer and thinker who revolutionised our understanding of Earth’s creation and the ground beneath us.
Inspired by Hutton and subsequent trailblazers, over 30 artists delve into this living ecosystem to reveal its brilliance, beauty and fragility.
- Meet the Artists
A rare opportunity to speak with some of our incredible Earth Matters artists. Come along to Inverleith House between 7and 8pm to meet and chat with: Fiona Young, Kevin Andrew Morris and Louise Bennetts.
Fiona Young is a Scottish nature-based artist. Originally trained in Fashion Design at Edinburgh College of Art, she later completed an MA in Printed Textiles at The Scottish College of Textiles, where she focused on digital design. She built a design career in the heritage tourism sector, including work as a bespoke product developer for the National Trust for Scotland. She also founded a greeting card company stocked by major UK retailers including Paperchase and Scribbler.
Image credit: Charlie Young
Based in Aberdeen, Kevin Andrew Morris is often referred to as a ‘Nomadic Ceramicist’ exhibiting work nationally and internationally as well as working with a range of artists, institutions and on various public projects including founding Scottish Ceramics Gallery and Co-founding Aberdeen Ceramics Studio. Recent Solo exhibitions include YARDARM at the Scottish Ceramics Gallery 2024 and Under the Same Sky Das Project Space 2021. He is part of an upcoming exhibition Power of Place at the Canadian Ceramic and Glass Centre in 2026.
Louise Bennetts is a designer and artist who works with fabric to create architectural forms and rhythmic interventions into existing bricks and mortar. She considers her pieces ‘suspended drawings in space’, constructing fabric into compositions that adapt with the movement of daily light. Sourcing widely from waste streams, she seeks to transform material through process rather than sourcing new, experimenting with felting, dyeing and earth-pigment painting techniques.
Image credit: Neil Hanna
- Discover: Sound of Soil
Join audiovisual artist Curlew (she/her) and a Botanics' soil specialist in the creation of music from plants and soil, using synthesisers and field recorders. Influenced by her past life in medicine, Curlew's work explores the intersections of science and folklore, the ancient and the modern, promoting deep rest and reverence for the natural world.
Curlew recently performed a full band audiovisual set as invited Spotlight Artist at Edinburgh Tradfest Showcase, and has an upcoming performance at Mogwai's Big City Festival this August.
Image credit: Ted Leeming
- Grasslands Exhibition
Discover how Botanics scientists are contributing to global grassland research and see grass diversity through striking photographs, crafts and illustrations.
- Discover: From Global Grasslands to Garden Grasses
Sign up for one of our exclusive mini tours led by Dr. Greg Kenicer, author of Atlas of Botany. Starting at our Grasslands exhibition, the 15 minute tour will highlight the Botanics’ global grasslands research, and you’ll be guided by our experts through the Garden to learn about the cultural significance of grasses and the part they play in increasing biodiversity.
Dr. Greg Kenicer is the author of Plant Magic. Scottish Plant Lore and a botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He has published numerous scientific papers on the evolution and diversity of peas and beans but the fantastical relationships between plants and people is where his heart really lies.
Tour spaces can be booked on arrival at the Gateway and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour start times: 6pm, 6:45pm, 7:30pm & 8:15pm
- Make & Create: Grass Weaving
Learn about the art and craft of Grass Weaving with Johanna Koen - Community Gardener, Forager, Wildcrafter & Artist. Joahnna’s practice focuses on how relationships with the natural world are (re)built. Through this work, Johanna looks at plants as collaborators, with community participation being key to create work that feels accessible and grounding. Come along and create a Grass tapestry as a Botanics Lates weaving community!
Image credit: Wavy Hair-grass (Deschampsia flexuosa)
Harray Loch, Orkney, July 2021
- Discover: Palm Houses Virtual Tour Headsets
Take a sneak peek inside our soon-to-reopen Palm Houses using our Virtual Tour Headsets. Explore the transformation of these iconic glasshouses as they become one breathtaking, cathedral-like temperate space and get an exclusive glimpse of the early stages of replanting of this remarkable living collection.
- Make & Create: Palm Houses Lino Printing
Come along and meet our Palm Houses Engagement Team - learn about the art of lino printing and its processes. Get creative and take-home a handcrafted lino print keepsake inspired by the iconic Palm Houses.
- Make & Create: Palm Houses Mindfulness
Take a moment to slow down, get creative, and colour-in your own Palm Houses keepsake box. Enjoy the calming, mindful process of colouring and draw your unique creation inspired by the iconic Palm Houses. This relaxing activity offers adults a chance to unwind, focus, and reduce stress while exploring the simple joy of colouring-in.
BOTANICS SHOP
Pressed for time during the busy month of August and looking for a last-minute gift, or simply fancy a luxurious treat to remember your evening in the Garden? Enjoy exclusive after-hours shopping at the Botanics Shop from 5.30pm to 9pm.
Browse a beautiful collection of botanically inspired gifts, books, homeware and sustainable products. To help you make the most of your evening, we'll be operating a convenient shop-and-collect service. Any items you purchase will be tagged and safely held for you, allowing you to continue exploring the event hands-free before collecting your purchases before closing.
FOOD & DRINK
Indulge in a vibrant selection of food and drink available to purchase all evening. Relax at the Deck Bar overlooking the Garden, admire the city from the lawns, or meander through the grounds with a drink in hand, immersed in nature.
- Pommery & Pizza at the Deck Bar
- Bar & Botanics Small Plates at the Gateway Cafe
- The Botanists Ice Cream Parlour
- Street Food: The Caravan of Courage
- Street Food: House of Tapas
- Drinks & Snacks at the Terrace Cafe & Inverleith House Lawn
Why not consider booking our new picnic offer in advance?
Pre-order Picnics: Ease your way in to the evening by collecting a pre-ordered picnic box from the John Hope Gateway. Designed for easy carrying and sharing between 2 people. Just purchase your tickets and add a picnic (£45) to your basket and it will be ready for collection on the night!
There are three curated picnics on offer: Mediterranean Garden, Scottish, and High Tea.
Mediterranean Garden Picnic (V):
- Two mini cans of red OR white wine (OR San Pellegrino Limonata)
- Morangie Brie
- Miller’s Cranberry & Raisin Toasts
- Mixed Olives
- Island Bakery Lemon Melts
(Price includes the picnic only - tickets to be purchased separately)
Scottish Picnic (V):
- Two cans of Stewart’s Gardener’s Brew Golden Ale (OR Bon Accord Rhubarb Soda)
- Arran Oak Smoked Cheddar
- Walkers Oatcakes
- Galloway Lodge Poacher’s Pickle
- Island Bakery Shortbread Biscuits
(Price includes the picnic only - tickets to be purchased separately)
High Tea (V):
- Two cans of Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger (OR Folkington’s Old Fashioned Elderflower)
- Smoked cheddar & fig savoury scones with salted butter and Galloway Lodge Poachers Pickle
- Fresh Perthshire Berries & Cream
- Ocelot Violet Milk Chocolate
- Island Bakery Apple Crumbles
(Price includes the picnic only - tickets to be purchased separately)
The box includes: picnic food & beverages as listed, disposable picnic box, cutlery and plates. The boxes are set menus and we will not be able to cater for specific dietary requirements. The alcoholic option will be issued as standard, if you would like to swap for the non-alcoholic option, please email [email protected] in advance with this request.
N.B. All pre-order picnics must be purchased no later than Tuesday 11th August. Sales will close at 11pm.
TICKET INFORMATION
Please note that entrance to this event is only via the West Gate, Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ.
- Doors open at 5:30pm and Garden zones open from 6:00pm.
- Age Restriction: all ticket holders must be 18 or older to attend this event - please bring proof of age.
- Tickets are non-refundable: please visit the FAQs for more information on our cancellation policy.
- Discounted rate: please bring evidence to support proof of discounted ticket as these will be asked for upon entry at the West Gate.
- Programme: programme is subject to change.
- Photography: please note that filming and photography will be taking place throughout the event for promotional and archival purposes. If you do not wish to be captured in the content, please inform the photographer.
- All performances, activities and exhibition access are included in the ticket price. Food and drinks are sold separately.
As a registered charity, every ticket purchased helps support the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s mission through science and research to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants.
Where is it happening?
GBP 0.00 to GBP 45.00
