Tree list branches out with links to author Stevenson

TREES connected to Edinburgh-born author Robert Louis Stevenson have been added to a list of heritage trees compiled by the city council to highlight important specimens.

The trees have been identified as notable and exceptional due to their age, size or historical and cultural significance.

Nearly 100 potential candidates were drawn up following a public consultation before the final list of 52 was completed. Among those listed are a yew tree in the grounds of Colinton Church Manse, where Treasure Island author Stevenson spent much of his childhood. He is known to have played in the spreading branches of the tree and specifically refers to the area in his work, Children’s Garden of Verse.

The remains of a swing in which he used to play are still evident on one of the limbs.

Another yew with connections to Stevenson made the inventory. The tree stands in the garden of the Hawes Inn, South Queensferry, where the author set part of his adventure novel Kidnapped.

A giant redwood in Dreghorn, which was planted by the Prince of Siam on completion of his training at the nearby army barracks 100 years ago, was also included.

The council has said that more trees are likely to be added to the heritage list in the future.