World-renowned royal gardener hit and killed by falling tree during Storm Boelo while walking near his home

Royal gardener Richard Baines has been named as the 60-year-old who died after being hit by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo.

The long-serving curator at Logan Botanic Garden, which he dubbed Scotland's most exotic garden, was walking near his home on Sunday when he was struck. 

The garden in Port Logan, which is operated as part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Living Collection, paid tribute to their 'very genuine and warm' curator who was the victim of the 'tragic accident'.

'Desperately sad, devastated' colleagues said it was 'his passion and enthusiasm for plants' that Mr Baines will be remembered for, after working at the gardens for 14 years. 

'He had a warmth, a genuine sense of humour, he always made time for individuals and that's one of the tributes that has been said many times this morning,' director of horticulture David Knott told BBC Scotland News.

'He always found time for his colleagues. And he was always very supportive in providing opportunities for the next generation of horticulturalists. He was a very genuine and warm human being,' Mr Knott added. 

The highly accomplished gardener oversaw an expansion in the Botanic Garden's plant collection - which at one point won 'Best Garden in the UK' - as well as the discovery of several species new to science.

Storm Boelo caused havoc across much of Scotland and Northern England over the weekend with 160,000 homes across the country left without power. A man in his 20s, who was hit by a falling tree while driving his car in north London, was also killed.

Richard Baines has been named as the man who died after being hit by a falling tree in Dumfries and Galloway during Storm Boelo on Sunday

The curator at Logan Botanic Garden, which is widely known as Scotland's most exotic garden, was pronounced dead at the scene after he was struck in gale-force winds

In Machrihanish, a small village on Scotland's west coast, wind speeds as quick as 85mph were recorded.

Footage from Dalmarnock, in Glasgow, showed a stream of water flooding through the town, forcing dozens of shops into closure. Meanwhile, the town of Largs, in Ayrshire, was left submerged following flooding overnight. 

The storm caused travel chaos, with railway lines shut due to damage and hundreds of holidaymakers left stranded after scores of flights across the country were cancelled. 

In Aberfeldy, two women were injured and rushed to hospital after being hit by a fallen tree. 

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 first 'all green' public conservatory powered by green energy in the UK.

'During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained 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 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.

Waves crash over the promenade due to the affects of Storm Boelo on Sunday in Largs, Scotland

A giant chestnut tree is seen crashed into 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.