Royal gardener, 60, killed in Storm Boelo by falling tree is pictured as tributes pour in

Comment now Next AN award-winning gardener killed in Storm Boelo has been pictured as tributes are pouring in to the “passionate” curator. Richard Baines, 60, was walking near his home in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, during the height of the storm when he was fatally struck on Sunday morning. 6 Richard Baines was tragically killed after being hit by a falling tree during storm Boelo Credit: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 6 He was a long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden Credit: Facebook Advertisement Emergency services raced to the scene but the 60-year-old long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden was pronounced dead by paramedics.

News of his death has shocked colleagues at Logan Botanic Garden, near Stranraer where Mr Baines worked. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. David Knott, Director of Horticulture, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh told how Mr Baines will be “deeply” missed.

He said: “Richard Baines, the Curator of Logan Botanic Garden sadly passed away on Sunday, October 25, during Storm Boelo, after a tragic accident while walking near his home. 6 Richard has been named as the person who died after being hit by a tree in Castle Douglas 6 Workers start the clear-up near where the accident happened. “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 U.K. “During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the ‘Best Garden in the U.K.’ by Which in 2021.

Advertisement “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. “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.

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Advertisement King Charles III is the official patron of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – which operates Logan Botanic Garden. Mr Baines lost his life as the deadly storm wreaked havoc across the UK. A man in his 20s in London was killed when a tree struck his moving car. Some 160,000 people were without power and one town in Scotland – Largs – was completely submerged by water at high tide. Trees blocked roads and smashed into cars and homes from the gusts of up to 84mph.

Advertisement Train companies warned of “significant” disruption and urged Brits to avoid travelling if possible. A report on Baines’ death will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a 60-year-old man having been struck by a falling tree on a minor road at Mid Kelton near Castle Douglas around 10.30am on Sunday, 25 October, 2026. RECOMMENDED STORIES “The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.” Advertisement Comment now