Hi-res images available on request
The spirit of Soqotra, a little-known archipelago filled with botanical and ecological treasures, and referred to as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’’, will be captured in a unique exhibition to be staged at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) from
Saturday, July 1 to Sunday, October 29.
“Soqotra – Land of the Dragon’s Blood Tree’’ is the intriguing title of this world premiere exhibition about the islands which lie in the Gulf of Aden between the Horn of Africa and
Arabia. The land of strange super-sized succulent trees, unique animals and birds and centuries old traditions of land use, has remained lost in time. Scientists now believe it may hold important clues about the ecology of the entire Mediterranean and Middleeastern region.
The Dragon’s Blood Tree, so called because of its deep red resin which was once considered a panacea, has become a symbol for the conservation agencies seeking to protect the unusual flora and fauna along with a lifestyle that has much to teach the modern world about living in harmony with the environment. The exhibition also highlights how this fragile balance is now under threat as development and tourism begin to change the islands forever. In 2003, the Soqotra archipelago was declared the first UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in Yemen, in recognition of its world class status as one of the best preserved island ecosystems anywhere on earth.
RBGE botanist Tony Miller, a recognised authority on the Soqotran archipelago, commented: “This is an extremely important area both botanically and ecologically and I think it is vital that people are given the chance to learn about the islands and how man and nature have co-existed in harmony for so many years, virtually untouched by the outside world. Yet, change is on its way and the culture and ecology of the islands are now under threat. To address this, the exhibition will also look at steps being taken to preserve the islands’ eco-systems.”
Roderic Dutton, of the Friends of Soqotra added: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege for the Friends of Soqotra to play a role, alongside the Yemen British

Friendship Association, the Soqotra Conservation and Development Programme, the
Socotra Conservation Fund, and the British Yemeni Society, in supporting the magnificent work undertaken by the Royal Botanic Garden in mounting this exhibition.
The Garden is a natural venue for the exhibition in that it has been closely involved with botanical and related research on the Soqotra islands since the 1880 ’s. It will be a wonderful outcome if the active Yemeni participation in the exhibition, including generous donations by Yemeni individuals and companies, lead to the exhibition eventually opening in Yemen.”
To coincide with the exhibition there will be a series of talks, films and storytelling sessions at the RBGE: ensuring that people of all ages get the chance to learn about
Soqotra and its ecological significance.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Sandra Donnelly on 0131 248 2925 or Shauna
Hay on 0131 248 2900.
Notes to Editors
Teams of international and Yemeni scientists have been studying the flora and fauna of
Soqotra and making recommendations for areas that should be fully protected and identifying zones where development can take place.
Botanical exploration of the island began as early as 1880 with a visit by Isaac Bayley
Balfour, who later became the Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Two of the most significant plants he collected were Begonia socotrana, which thrives in narrow, moist mountainous crevices and is the parent of millions of cultivated begonias, and the Persian violet ( Exacum affine ), now one of the world’s most popular houseplants.

A tiny relict of the ancient super-continent, Gondwana, Soqotra holds clues to the vegetation that once dominated the whole Mediterranean basin. It is also a living laboratory for evolution, as valuable to science as Darwin’s Galapagos or Wallace’s
Malay Archipelago.
Although the island offers a harsh environment for humans and their livestock there is a record of habitation dating back to the earliest times. People have learned to use the natural resources – the sea, freshwater, wild plants and animals – in a sustainable way without destroying the fragile natural ecosystem.
One of the botanical wonders of Soqotra is the iconic Dragon’s blood tree ( Dracaena cinnabari ) which is common in some highland areas, yet is found nowhere else on Earth.
Its closest relativ es the Canary Islands dragon’s bloods, Draceana draco and Draceana tamaranae grow thousands of miles away in the Canaries and Morocco. There is also fossil evidence that dragon’s blood trees once grew in Southern France suggesting today’s isolated populations may be relicts of a type of evergreen forest that was once widespread throughout the Mediterranean.
The people of Soqotra use the Dragon’s Blood tree for a variety of plant products.
Almost every part of this “tree of life’’ is used for some purpose. Leaves and fruit can be used to feed livestock, bees gather nectar for honey, resin is used for medicinal purposes to treat spots and sores, fractures, burns and to stop bleeding. The red colour from the resin is used to decorate pottery and by children to paint their hands, nails and lips. Bark from the thick roots is burnt to scent the air, chewed to sweeten the breath and to make lips and gums redder.
Although Soqotra has remained virtually untouched by modern life, the 21 st century looks set to see some changes. Traditions are rapidly declining as inhabitants seek to improve the quality of life. New tarmac roads link the main centres and although most
Soqotrans still rely on wood and gas for cooking, electricity, generated by oil, is available in major settlements. However, abundant wind and sun means renewable energy sources may be important in the future.

Better health facilities including a hospital in Hadiboh and more doctors from mainland
Yemen have helped combat disease, but sanitation remains basic and obtaining clean water is often a problem.
Many new schools have been built but a lack of teachers and distance to travel, means that some children still do not receive a full education.
One of the most significant developments, which looks set to change the way of life on
Soqotra forever, is the building of a new runway and airport facilities. People have begun to move to the island and tourism is being developed as an industry for the future.
The Socotra Conservation and Development Programme (SCDP) and Socotra
Conservation Fund are guiding development and conservation of the island’s unique resources.
Small-scale developments are helping food production and giving people opportunities to earn money.
Examples of successful projects are:
small gardens yielding tomatoes and other vegetables.
fishermen are using new traps to catch mature lobsters outside the breeding season.
beekeepers are using improved hives to obtain more honey.
women are being trained to use sewing machines to make clothes.
a plant nursery is multiplying indigenous plants for restoration programmes.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a Non Departmental Public Body established under the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985, principally funded by the Scottish
Executive. It is also a registered charity, managed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by Ministers. Its mission is to “explore and explain the world of plants’’ and its primary functions are as a centre of scientific and horticultural excellence, keeper of the national collections and promoter of science in the public domain.

The four Gardens of RBGE – Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan – comprise the
National Botanic Gardens of Scotland and are numbered among the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland, bringing together many inter-related cultural areas of activity.