Royal gardener Richard Baines has been identified as the 60-year-old man who died after being struck by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo.
The long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden, which he described as Scotland’s most exotic garden, was walking close to his home on Sunday when the tree fell in gale-force winds.
Logan Botanic Garden in Port Logan, part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Living Collection, paid tribute to its “very genuine and warm” curator following the “tragic accident”.
Colleagues said they were “desperately sad” and “devastated”, adding that Mr Baines would be remembered for his passion and enthusiasm for plants during his 14 years at the garden.
David Knott, the director of horticulture, told BBC Scotland News that Mr Baines’s warmth, genuine sense of humour and willingness to make time for everyone had been mentioned repeatedly in tributes.
“He always found time for his colleagues,” Mr Knott said. “And he was always very supportive in providing opportunities for the next generation of horticulturalists. He was a very genuine and warm human being.”
The highly accomplished gardener oversaw the expansion of Logan’s plant collection, which was at one point named the “Best Garden in the UK”, as well as the discovery of several species new to science.
Storm Boelo caused widespread disruption across Scotland and northern England over the weekend. Around 160,000 homes in Scotland were left without power, while a second death was confirmed yesterday after a man in his 20s was struck by a falling tree while driving in north London.
Richard Baines has been named as the man who died after being struck by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo on Sunday
The curator of Logan Botanic Garden, widely known as Scotland’s most exotic garden, was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck in gale-force winds
Wind speeds of up to 85mph were recorded in Machrihanish, a small village on Scotland’s west coast.
Footage from Dalmarnock, County Durham, showed floodwater streaming through the town and forcing dozens of shops to close. In Ayrshire, the town of Largs was left submerged after overnight flooding.
The storm also brought travel chaos, with railway lines closed after being damaged and hundreds of holidaymakers stranded as scores of flights across the country were cancelled.
In Aberfeldy, Northern Ireland, two women were injured after being hit by a fallen tree and were taken to hospital.
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In a statement, Mr Knott 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.”
“He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan, including the UK’s first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy.”
“During his tenure, Logan also secured a number of accolades, including being voted the ‘Best Garden in the UK’ by Which in 2021.”
“Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold in the Green Business Tourism award scheme and install electric vehicle charging points. These achievements culminated in the garden receiving five-star Visitor Attraction status from VisitScotland.”
Waves crash over the promenade in Largs, Scotland, during the effects of Storm Boelo on Sunday
A giant chestnut tree lies against a house in Lancaster after Storm Boelo
Largs, in Ayrshire, Scotland, has been submerged by a large stream gushing through the town
‘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.’
The organisation had previously highlighted his improvement in the Walled Garden, the glasshouses and conservatory, as well as various woodlands belonging to the establishment.
Mr Baines had also developed an intern programme at the gardens which offered practical ‘hands on’ experience to horticultural students both from the UK and Europe.
Yesterday, Police Scotland 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. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.’
A third storm which could batter Britain is said to be on the horizon, with the Met Office confirming earlier that rain will once again ‘sweep across the north-east’ of Britain on Monday, while Tuesday will remain ‘windy with rain’.
Storm Chloe is the next available name on the 2026-27 storm list and, should the weather intensify enough to trigger an amber or red warning, the Met Office will officially declare that the third storm of the season has hit.
