Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh mourns curator Richard Baines killed by falling tree during Storm Boelo

Tributes for botanic garden curator Richard Baines have been paid after he was hit and killed by a falling tree during Storm Boelo.

The 60-year-old curator of Logan Botanic Garden died on Sunday while walking near his home in Dumfries, Scotland which was hit by winds of up to 80mph, according to The Press Association.

Power outages struck the region, with amber and yellow weather warnings issued because of the powerful weather system.

On Monday, thousands of homes remained without power, and several schools were forced to close.

Residents in Scotland were warned by authorities to brace for further chaos amid a fresh yellow wind warning having been issued for southwest Scotland from 6pm on Monday.

Baines was internationally respected (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh/PA Wire)

It will be followed up at 3am on Tuesday by a yellow wind warning covering much of Scotland until 9pm.

Director David Knott, of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), which runs Logan Botanic Garden, said Baines was an ‘enthusiastic plantsman’ who would be ‘missed by many’.

He 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.

He explained how during Baines’s tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the best garden in the UK by Which? in 2021.

Scotland was battered by high winds (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

“Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award and install vehicle electric charging points, culminating in Logan being awarded 5-Star status as a visitor attraction by VisitScotland,” he said.

“It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science.

“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and curator to Logan and its wider work and culture has been immeasurable,” he said, adding that Baines “will be deeply missed by many.”

Baines was hailed as a passionate plantsman (Chris James/Royal Botanic Garden/PA Wire)

On Monday, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks stated about 25,000 homes were without power. It also said around 70,000 customers had their power restored.

The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) met on Monday, headed by Scotland’s Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

She said: “More high winds, rain and coastal flooding is forecast today and into tomorrow, and it is important to note that buildings and trees that were weakened over the weekend will be particularly vulnerable.

“I would urge the public to continue to check their local weather forecast and follow the advice of the Met Office, Sepa and the police to ensure they stay safe.”