The man who died after being hit by a falling tree during Storm Boelo was a royal gardener, it has been revealed.
Richard Baines, 60, the award-winning curator of Logan Botanic Garden, was walking near his home in Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway when he was struck on Sunday morning.
Emergency services arrived but tragically could not save his life.
King Charles III is the official patron of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which operates Logan Botanic Garden.
The monarch was last seen on Sunday walking to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, where he appeared windswept by the weather.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told HELLO!: "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 10.30 am on Sunday, 25 October, 2026.
"The man was pronounced dead at the scene. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course."
Tributes pour in for royal gardener Richard Baines
David Knott, Director of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden, said they were "desperately sad" and "devastated" by the news.
He told the BBC: "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.
© Getty Images"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."
He said: "Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and Curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many."
Logan was voted "Best Garden in the UK" by Which in 2021 and awarded 5-star status by VisitScotland during Richard's tenure after developing green initiatives including charging points for electric vehicles.
Dumfries and Galloway MSP Finlay Carson, who was a school friend of Richard, said: "Richard was a remarkable gentleman and a good friend to many, always ready with a warm smile, a kind word and an infectious enthusiasm for life."
UK weather latest after Storm Boelo
Storm Boelo swept through Scotland over the weekend, causing power cuts, travel disruption, and fallen trees.
There was an amber warning in place on Saturday night, before Richard lost his life. Scotland experienced wind gusts of more than 80mph, with travel severely disrupted around the UK.
© Getty ImagesA man in his 20s was also killed in north London after being hit by a falling tree while driving his car.
The next name for turbulent weather in the UK will be Storm Chloe, after Storm Austen and Storm Boelo disrupted conditions last week.
As of Tuesday morning, there is still a weather warning for wind in place for parts of Scotland, with the Met Office saying: "A spell of strong winds may lead to damaging gusts and transport disruption."
