There has been a long history of botanic gardens in the city, with the first being the Physic Garden (1705) in the Old College. In 1817 gardens were established near Sauchiehall Street by the Royal Botanic Institution of Glasgow which had strong links with Glasgow University; indeed, much of their success was due to Sir William Hooker (1785-1865), the Professor of Botany. However, the rapid industrialisation of that area made the site unsuitable and in 1839 this plot of land in the West End was purchased and the glasshouses and plants were transferred.

It soon became a popular place with West Enders and in 1854 Hugh Macdonald noted that `During the season, these spacious and well-conducted gardens are generally largely attended by the rank and fashion of our city`. The Institution was a private body and the gardens were for the benefit of the members, but the general public were allowed in on Saturdays for one shilling and on occasions the gardens were `thrown open to the Working Classes on the payment of one penny each`.

This article is based on the guidebook "The Glasgow Guide".

A sunny summer day. The Kibble Palace glasshouse is on the right; the main glasshouse is top left.