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On Saturday, 3rd May the first of the PSNS Parent Body Outings took place when members and friends visited Kibble Palace at Glasgow Botanic and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

John Kibble gifted his glass house at Coulport to the City of Glasgow in 1872.Once erected and extended the iron and glass building was used as an entertainment and events venue. By the 1880s it became a magnificent glasshouse for plants. By the 1990s the wrought iron and the cast iron beams, resting on ornate pillars, were badly corroded. The project for restoration of the whole structure began and funding was gradually procured, including a generous grant from Heritage Lottery.

As we were guided through the restored Palace which opened in November, 2006, all admired the pristine white-painted ironwork, the new panes of stippolyte glass and freshly paved walkways.

This is now the new environment for the great variety of plants removed from the old structure for the refurbishment. In the entrance the large circular pond had a fine tree fern displayed on the stone-built central island. A room to the left was the area for insectivorous and carnivorous plants. Planted on a central raised bed and raised shelving at the walls the plants could be closely studied. Here were varieties of the pitcher plant and also plants which trapped their prey in sticky leaves. Another room displayed plants adapted to survive in very warm climates such as the Canary Islands have. Here were cacti and the sedums which can store water for their needs.

A wide, paved corridor led to the rotunda below the large dome. Here were some of the distinctive white sculptures placed throughout the glasshouse. Interest was also added by several modern panels of art work in the rotunda.

In Victorian times the Gardens had squirrel seats for visitors. These were made of oak with cast iron ends showing a pattern of leaves surrounding a squirrel. One of the seats had survived and it was decided at the restoration to make copies and place them in Kibble Palace.

The great dome and rotunda are the largest parts of the building and two massive Japanese Banana Plants, growing towards the dome, dominated the area. The grove contained many species of tree ferns as the Glasgow Botanic Gardens hold the National Collection of these unique plants. During the restoration work these plants were moved out of Kibble Palace and based at Bellahouston. This was a risk.However, apart from losing a few damaged leaves they are none the worse and are thriving happily again.

Around the central areas of tree ferns were four plant beds. In one were the plants native to South America-Fuschia and Nicotiona and in another flowering Camellias and other temperate zone plants .The third plant bed displayed natives of Austalasia such as Bottle Brush and Banhsia while the fourth bed was devoted to South African natives and included Strelitzia and Proteas,now available in our florists here.

Our members appreciated the warm welcome of the staff of the Botanic Gardens and the informative talk. Everyone enjoyed this global tour of the botanical world.

The afternoon was spent at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. An hour-long tour had been arranged with friends of Glasgow Museums, a large group of volunteers who provide this service for visitors. This is one of the oldest Friends’ organisations in the UK.

Having met our guides we set off as the organ recital began at 12:30pm, a daily occurrence. The massive organ by London-based Lewis and Co. was built for the 1901 Glasgow Exhibition which closed in November, 1901.The organ was then moved into Kelvingrove.

Our guides focused on some of the important pieces in the vast collections at Kelvingrove.The art collection includes works of French, Dutch and Italian masters but a treasured item is the iconic “Christ of St John of the Cross” by Salvador Dali purchased by Director Dr.Tom Honeyman in 1951.Another treasure is Rembrandt’s “A Man in Armour” which was in a collection of 70 paintings owned by artist John Graham-Gilbert, a collection which was bequeathed by his widow on 1877.

Many collections have been gifted over the decades.Archeological collections spanning the world, national history collections and collections of furniture, pottery and glass are held at Kelvingrove.

Our guides took us to and excellent display of Arms and Armour, pieces which had actually been used in battle and which had been collected by R.L.Scott, chairman of the shipbuilding and engineering company. In 1939 he donated this collection to Kelvingrove.

The magnificent building of Kelvingrove opened in 1901.Constructed of red sandstone from Locharbriggs, Dumfries the exterior is embellished with sculpted figures, carved crests and coats of arms. By contrast a pale blond stone is used inside. This came from the Giffnock quarry.

Kelvingrove celebrated its centenary in 2001.A decision was made to restore the building and modernise the displays. Funding was obtained and work began.

On this visit members appreciated the new thematic approach in the displays. Gone were the mahogany-framed glass cases and the rigidity of Victorian displays. Technology is used in hands-on experiences, commentaries and dramatic lighting effects. The emphasis is on interactivity and inter-relationship.

Members and friends of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science met at Jubilee Car Park, Kinnoull Hill, on Saturday afternoon, 27th October. With Mr. John Spittal of the Forestry Commission they moved into the Aitken Arboretum where trees were planted to commemorate two former Presidents of the Society - James Aitken of Orchardbank and Dr.W.H.Findlay, both of whom lived on the lower slopes of Kinnoull.

James Aitken was well known and respected in Perth, Perthshire and beyond as a landscape gardener, having set up business in 1934, the first of it's kind in the area. He was an alpine plant specialist and keen botanist and as a skilled photographer his illustrated talks delighted audiences. As a young man he helped the Rentons to lay out the now famous Branklyn Garden, adjacent to Orchardbank. During World War II he flew with the Pathfinder Force as flight- sergeant and completed 41 missions.

James Aitken died in November, 2003 having been a member of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science for just over seventy years. His contribution to the Society was immense and he served as a member of the Council.

From 1970-1986 he held the office of President. Among his bequests was one of £80,000 for the refurbishment of the Arboretum at Deuchney. The work began in 2005 and after felling, pruning and path forming it is now being planted with young trees.

The current President of the Society, Mrs. Mary Cairncross, explained that the trees chosen for planting were specimens of Crataegus - Paul's Scarlet and Crimson Cloud to commemorate James Aitken.

Six Amelanchier canadensis were then planted to commemorate Dr W.H.Findlay. After studying medicine at Glasgow and holding posts there and in Stirling he was appointed Deputy Medical Officer of Health and Tuberculosis Officer for Perthshire. He was chest physician for Perth and Kinross for 25 years until his retiral in 1970 and in retirement his hobby of photography became his career. Dr Findlay joined the Society in the mid-1950's .He was an active member of the Photographic Section.

In 1960 he became President of the Society, a post he held for 10 years before passing the Presidency on to James Aitken.

As a conclusion John Spittal spoke about the work already done at the Arboretum and the plans for future management. A short walk through the area followed and members were able to see at close hand the lay-out and progress in the area.