Off to Dawyck Botanic Gardens this morning, one of four gardens that comprise the National Botanic Gardens of Scotland, on a fine spring day, for the official launch of the new visitor centre (photo) by Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead.
The garden is already among the Borders top paid-for attractions but the new centre should take visitor numbers from 21,000 to more than 30,000 by 2017.
Overall, a fantastic, environmentally sound improvement for an already beautiful tourist attraction in the Scottish Borders.
Caught up with some clients, also past colleagues, Peter Nowell (now head of Brand Vista Scotland) and Janet Sylvester (MD of ScotInform).
Early evening, rare social event - 3 friends from the village and I (age range 18 - 48) head off to the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow for an evening of Joe Satriani, who graduated from the University of Life with a First in Admiration of Jimi Hendrix plus a PHD in the art of plank spanking. Most people I mention it to say - who? Hard rock American guitarist, famous from 1992 for his album The Extremist; whole gig enjoyable but a bit long, 3 hours including similar support act Paul Gilbert (flashy, no emotion), but can't complain about ticket value.
Was also impressed with the quality of the images from Jamie's Samsung NV10 (see examples) camera.
