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Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Edinburgh unveils floral clock for 2025 celebrating 200 years of braille
The floral clock, made with over 35,000 plants, took six weeks to complete and blooms until October Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has officially unveiled this year's floral clock in West Princes Street Gardens. The colourful timepiece is a vibrant tribute marking 200 years of braille and celebrating the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). The iconic clock, crafted with over 35,000 flowers and plants, took three gardeners six weeks to complete. Featuring species such as antennaria, crassula, echeveria, sedum, saxifrage, and annuals like pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums, the colourful display will bloom until October. Joined by RNIB representatives and visually impaired community members, Mr Aldridge expressed hope that the design would inspire reflection on the vital role braille plays in the lives of those who use it. The capital's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: "Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause. "The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it. "Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer." The RNIB, the UK's leading charity for sight loss, supports blind and partially sighted individuals along with their families and carers. This year, it marks the bicentenary of braille, the tactile six-dot code that revolutionised literacy and communication for people with sight loss. James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, described it as a great honour for the organisation to be featured. 'It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society,' he said. 'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity.' "Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate braille and include accessibility in their lives." The floral clock has a rich heritage, first created in 1903 by Edinburgh Parks superintendent John McHattie, making it the oldest of its kind in the world. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Initially featuring just an hour hand, a minute hand was added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. It was mechanically operated and wound daily until 1972. Since 1946, the clock's designs have honoured numerous organisations and figures, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Queen Elizabeth II for her Golden Jubilee. In its centenary year, 2003, it won a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Floral Clock is bloomin' lovely this year
The Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens is all spruced up and looking lovely now that the council's parks department have created the 2025 display which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The Rt Hon Lord Provost was joined by representatives from RNIB and visually impaired members of the community to mark the completion of the new design, which takes three gardeners around six weeks to create. More than 35,000 flowers and plants are used to create the face of the clock, which will be in bloom until October. This includes plants like antennaria, crassula, echevaria, sedum and saxifrage and annuals such as pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums. Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: 'Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause. 'The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it. 'Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer. 'The RNIB is the UK's leading sight loss charity which offers practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. 'This year, the RNIB is marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, a code based on six dots used to represent the alphabet and numbers.' James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, said: 'It is a great honour that RNIB has been chosen for this year's floral clock. It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society. 'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity. RNIB was brought into existence to improve tactile literacy and we still work every day to widen access for blind and partially sighted people. 'Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate Braille and include accessibility in their lives.' This is the oldest floral clock in the world and was first made in 1903. Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R Lord Provost Robert Aldridge Jane Coates community manager RNIB Scotland Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Like this: Like Related
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Edinburgh's floral clock celebrates 200 years of braille
Edinburgh's Lord Provost has officially opened the newly completed floral clock in the city's West Princes Street year the landmark celebrates the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and 200 years of braille, the tactile code allowing blind and partially sighted people to read by Provost Robert Aldridge was joined by RNIB representatives and visually impaired members of the community to mark the completion of the new design, which takes three gardeners six weeks to than 35,000 flowers and plants are used in the clock, which will be in bloom until October. Plants in the clock include antennaria, crassula, echevaria, sedum and saxifrage and annuals such as pyrethrum, begonias and Aldridge said he hoped the clock's design would give people pause to reflect on how important braille is to all those to use RNIB is the UK's leading sight loss charity which offers practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and year, the RNIB is marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, a code based on six dots used to represent the alphabet and Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said it was a great honour that RNIB had been chosen for this year's floral said: "It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society." "Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity."The floral clock was first created in 1903 by then Edinburgh Parks superintendent, John McHattie, and is the oldest of its kind in the initially operated with just an hour hand, with a minute hand added in 1904, followed by a cuckoo clock in 1952. Until 1972 the clock was operated mechanically and had to be wound 1946 it has been designed in honour of various organisations and individuals, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Queen, for her Golden the clock's centenary year in 2003 it won a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Edinburgh Live
10-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Blind Edinburgh man recognised for 'bringing so much joy and reassurance' to others
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh man has been recognised for his incredible efforts and 'energy, kindness, and commitment'. Daryl Stewart, 23, a volunteer with sight loss charity The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), was commended for 'bringing so much joy and reassurance' to many. Daryl, who is registered blind, began volunteering with the organisation after feeling 'isolated' at his mainstream school. He first became involved at 14-years-old, and has now received the Special Recognition Award for Young Volunteer of the Year. Over his time, he's helped over 50 blind and partially sighted people access support. Jane Coates, Community Social Action Manager at RNIB Scotland, said: "Mention Daryl's name to anyone who comes through our doors, and they instantly smile. 'His energy, kindness, and commitment bring so much joy and reassurance to the people we support.' Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Since joining the RNIB, Daryl was able to make friends and found his community. The youth group offered a 'transformative space' for him. He's grown from a participant to a 'key figure' in the volunteer network. In the last year, Daryl had stepped into a leadership role. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. He now independently plans and runs sessions, offering guidance, encouragement, and a warm welcome to participants of all ages. A spokesperson for RNBI added: "When RNIB Scotland's main Edinburgh office temporarily closed for refurbishment, Daryl didn't hesitate to go above and beyond. "He worked with staff to ensure that community members could still attend groups and sessions - sometimes accompanying them on public transport, and in other cases meeting them at home to coordinate transport with drivers. He's also taken part in multiple Kiltwalk fundraising events, helping raise money to support RNIB Scotland's various services."
Scotsman
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Two gardeners are seen lying on their front on ladders planting the flowers according to the design. This year, the clock will mark the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille.
Watch as gardeners plant the flowers for this year's Edinburgh floral clock. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A video shows this year's floral clock being planted in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh. Two gardeners are seen lying on their front on ladders planting the flowers according to the design. This year, the clock will mark the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gardeners plant flowers for this year's floral clock. | National World Posting to social media on May 23, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said: 'We are honoured that RNIB has been chosen for this year's Edinburgh Floral Clock! 'The clock will mark the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille - planting for the display began this week, and it will be in full bloom from June through to September!' History of Edinburgh's floral clock The floral clock, the oldest in the world, was created in 1903 by then Edinburgh Parks Superintendent John McHattie. The floral clock initially operated with just an hour hand, with a minute hand added in 1904. A cuckoo clock was added in 1952. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since 1946, the floral clock has been designed in honour of various organisations and individuals, including the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson and the Queen for her Golden Jubilee. Have you got a video you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your footage will appear on our website.
