History
The Cruickshank Botanic Garden has been an important part of Old Aberdeen for nearly 125 years and is located less than a mile from the North Sea.
The Garden was founded in 1898, the result of a generous gift of land purchased by Miss Anne Cruickshank, in memory of her brother Dr Alexander Cruickshank.
She wanted the Garden to further the study of science and was determined that it should serve the public, to whom it has always been open and free to enter.
The 3 acres on which the Garden was originally constructed housed the Old Aberdeen Gymnasium, an all-male private school, whose buildings can still be seen in the Garden today. The remainder of her bequest became the Cruickshank Botanic Garden Trust, which partly owns the Garden and funds projects. The University of Aberdeen owns the rest and pays for day-to-day running.
Over the next 70 years more tracts of land were purchased, and today the Garden covers 11 acres, housing the School of Biological Sciences in its grounds.
It features an arboretum, sunken garden, herbaceous border, and much more. It serves as a source of learning and enjoyment for young people and families from across Aberdeen, as well as a quiet, green space for University staff and students. Additionally, primary and secondary schools often visit the Garden and the nearby Zoology Museum as part of their education.
A more detailed history of the Garden can be found in the booklet available to buy in the Shop.