A LIBRARIAN is set to take on a 356-mile run around Scotland’s botanic gardens to promote the work being done to save the world’s habitats.
George Sherriffs, the acquisitions librarian for Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE), will circuit the research institute’s four gardens.
He’ll begin his challenge at Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll on April 23, before journeying south to Logan Botanic Garden in Dumfries and Galloway and Dawyck Botanic Garden in the Scottish Borders.
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For the final leg of the journey, Sherriffs will head back to the capital, arriving at Inverleith House on April 30.
The route, which includes some of Scotland’s hilliest backdrops, will include several sections where Sherriffs travels distances of some 50+ miles each day.
He explained: “I have undertaken multiple marathons and other challenging long-distance runs over the last 39 years and felt this would be a great way to highlight the vital research and conservation work taking place at our gardens.
“This venture was originally scheduled for 2020, the 350th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – a number that aligned almost perfectly with the 356-mile length of the run – but we sadly had to postpone because of the pandemic. I now can’t wait to get started.”
The run will raise money for the RBGE and anyone wishing to donate to the campaign can do so HERE.
The full schedule for the run is as follows:
- Tuesday April 23 – Benmore Botanic Garden to Balloch (51 miles)
- Wednesday April 24 – Balloch to Ayr (52.5 miles)
- Thursday April 25 – Ayr to Stranraer (56 miles)
- Friday April 26 – Stranraer to Glentrool via Logan Botanic Garden (50 miles)
- Saturday April 27 – Glentrool to New Cumnock (39 miles)
- Sunday April 28 – New Cumnock to Moffat (48.5 miles)
- Monday April 29 – Moffat to Kaimes Crossroads via Dawyck (51 miles)
- Tuesday April 30 - Kaimes Crossroads to RBGE (8 miles)
Commending Sherriffs for his feat, RBGE regius keeper Simon Milne said: “George’s journey represents a significant physical and mental challenge.
"Yet, its purpose goes beyond personal achievement. Through his run, he raises awareness and mobilises tangible support for the work we do across Scotland and globally to combat biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
“From the beginning of his epic journey at Benmore to the last few undoubtedly exhausted steps at Edinburgh, we hope that people across Scotland will join in and support George. Cheer him on at our four Gardens, or even run alongside him for one mile or 10.”
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