Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
A man tragically lost his life in Dumfries and Galloway after being struck by a falling tree. Richard Baines, aged 60, who had been the dedicated curator of Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer for many years, passed away on Sunday morning during Storm Boelo. Reports indicate that the incident occurred while he was walking near his home in Mid Kelton, close to Castle Douglas.
David Knott, the director of horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, expressed deep sorrow over the news. Speaking to BBC Scotland News, he described Baines as “a very genuine and warm human being” who was well known for his kindness, humor, and the time he made for both colleagues and individuals alike. Knott highlighted Baines’s commitment to supporting up-and-coming horticulturalists with opportunities and mentorship.
Logan Botanic Garden, managed as one of four gardens by the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, is celebrated for its collection of exotic plants, thanks to the mild climate influenced by the Gulf Stream. Knott shared that it was Baines who coined the phrase “Scotland’s most exotic garden” to describe Logan and that he had been instrumental in promoting the garden and the wider southwest region of Scotland.
Baines’s death took place as Storm Boelo swept across Scotland, bringing intense wind, flooding, travel disruptions, and power outages throughout the weekend and into Monday. Wind speeds increased on Saturday, prompting the issuance of an amber weather warning from that night onwards. During the storm, the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team faced one of their toughest operations in recent memory. They were dispatched to Curleywee in the Minigaff Hills to assist an injured runner participating in the OMM mountain challenge. Battling harsh conditions including torrential rain, fierce winds, and difficult terrain, the rescue team, alongside the event’s safety staff, managed to carry the injured runner off the hill and transfer them safely to the Scottish Ambulance Service. Due to the worsening weather, a coastguard helicopter had to abort its rescue attempt.
The OMM event has received some social media criticism for continuing amid adverse weather conditions. However, a spokesperson clarified that the course was closed and all contestants were accounted for prior to the amber warning becoming effective at 9 p.m. on Saturday. They emphasized that the safety of competitors was the priority throughout, with constant weather monitoring and adjustments made accordingly. Additionally, the organizers confirmed they would be making a donation to the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team, in accordance with their established practice regardless of whether a callout occurs
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.