Popular tourist attraction to close as Butterfly World falls victim to pandemic
A Midlothian woman is calling for the public to rally round and save Butterfly and Insect World, after owners confirmed “with regret” the popular attraction near Edinburgh is to shut its doors for good.
Mhairi Whyte, whose son Alex, 17, volunteered for more than a year at the Lasswade site, said staff and team members are devastated after learning Dobbies do not plan to reopen it.
But she said the recent success of bringing Gorgie Farm back from the brink has given her hope that the famous institution can continue.
Bosses said it was with regret that they made the decision to close the popular wildlife attraction permanently after the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dobbies Garden Centres, which owns the site, also confirmed that consultations are under way with eight team members – though it’s understood some have already been made redundant.
Ms Whyte, from Loanhead, is appealing for people to come forward to help raise cash to save the attraction.
Ms Whyte said: “We are gutted. It will be a disaster if it’s shut for good. Alex hoped to work there one day. It was the world to him.
"He is so into the animals that he now collects reptiles and we have four tanks at home.
"That has been what kept him going throughout lockdowns. It’s a devastating loss for so many.”
She continued: "They saved
Gorgie Farm. Why can’t Butterfly World be saved too? It’s a special place.
"If they can tell us how much we’d need to raise to save it then I’ll do whatever I can.”
Following the reopening of garden centres last August, the out-of-town attraction welcomed customers back temporarily for pre-booked visits, but it shut again in November and has remained closed since.
The attraction opened in 1984,and is understood to be the world's longest running indoor butterfly house.
It’s home to many reptiles, animals, butterflies, bugs plus a gift shop and outdoor play area.
Ian Gardener, chair of the Midlothian Tourism Forum, said: “This is very sad news for Butterfly World's staff and volunteers and for all who have
supported it over the past nearly 40 years.
"The attraction was a popular destination for residents and visitors and had built up a strong reputation for its educationalworkandforbeingagood place to visit. It will be greatly missed as an attraction and as an asset for Midlothian.”
Butterflies and insects at the site are to be rehomed within the next few months.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World said: “It is with regret that we confirm that Edinburghbutterfly&insectworld will not reopen. This has been a difficult decision, but like many similar businesses the exceptionally challenging circumstances made it necessary to review our future.
“Our priority is to support team members and the safe
relocation of the animals. Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World is working closely with independent zoo and wildlife consultants to ensure that the appropriate plans are in place to safely resettle the animals over the coming months.
“There are no current plans for the site.”