Improving weather - Wednesday's predicted gales apart - and an anticipated substantial increase in visitor numbers, mean that if you wish to visit Ness Botanic Gardens between today, Friday March 12th, and Monday April 12th, entry will only be possible with an advance booking.

Ness Gardens is also keen to remind people that they should refrain from travelling from outside their local area, and urges members and visitors to check government guidance before making any journeys.

The team at the Gardens says: "While recent months have been challenging, we have been pleased to have remained open for so much of the last twelve months, providing a safe and pleasant environment for our members and visitors to enjoy.

"We are currently reviewing the Governmental guidance and are busy planning our own roadmap back to full reopening.

"Ensuring the health and safety of our members, visitors, staff, students and volunteers has remained our priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and this remains the case as restrictions ease.

"With this in mind, we ask that visitors continue to follow social distancing, hand hygiene and face covering guidance where appropriate. We also ask that, if feeling unwell, people stay at home and get well before visiting us."

The Botanic Kitchen Cafe is open, but only for takeaways.

To make an advance booking, please call Ness Gardens on: 0151 795 6300.

For anyone who has never been, Ness Botanic Gardens was the brainchild of Arthur Kilpin Bulley. He was one of the greatest sponsors of plant collectors in the 20th century - not only did he lay the foundations of the Gardens, but also revolutionised British gardening.

Born in 1861, Bulley developed a passion for plants, particularly the hardier varieties and Alpine species. In 1898, he bought the farmland in Ness which he would go on to develop into a house and gardens. The house still exists to this day as Mickwell Brow and now houses office and event spaces.

Ness Gardens are an enclave of natural beauty and charm where visitors can put the hurly-burly 21st century to one side for a while. The commitment to maintain and develop their beauty remains, but now there is an increasing emphasis on research, conservation and education of the public - areas reflecting Bulley's original interests.