Readers will remember the careful archaeological study, recording and dismantlement of Botanic Cottage on Haddington Place around two years ago (Breaking news 3.9.09).
It initially appeared an almost ruinous building, converted out of all recognition from its origin as the Gardener's house at the site of the early Royal Botanic Gardens.
But careful work gradually stripped back later additions to reveal the original John Adam design, including an impressive auditorium for lectures.
On Monday, drawings made to illustrate some of those lectures will go on show at a free exhibition – John Hope (1725–1786) – An Enlightened Botanist in Inverleith House.
Hope, Regius Keeper of the Garden and Queen's Botanist, was one of the leading Enlightenment scientists of his day, an important exponent of the Linnaean classification system, and is credited with introducing rhubarb to Scotland. (They have got on well ever since.) Crucially, his reputation was also founded on his abilities as an innovative teacher, into which the images on display will provide a fascinating insight. They are drawn from the Garden's own archives.
The picture shown here was a copy by Andrew Fyfe (c.1775) of an engraving made around 50 years earlier by Simon Gribelin. It is in red chalk, and was used to illustrate a lecture on 'The Motion of the Sap'.
The exhibition runs from 15 May to 3 July.