Kibble Palace in the Botanical Gardens of Glasgow, Scotland
Originally designed by John Kibble for his home in Coulport in Scotland, the Kibble palace was moved to the Botanical Gardens in the west end of Glasgow in 1873. This is an wrought iron framed glasshouse or greenhouse which covers a 2137 metres square area. The iron work is quite ornate. Its initial function was as a site for meatings and concerts. In the 1880s, it was converted for use solely for the growing of plants. It became particularly famous for its collection of Australian tree ferns. Some of which have lived there for 120 years. In 2004 a £7 million restoration programme was initiated to repair corrosion of the ironwork. The restoration involved the complete dismantling of the Palace, and the removal of the parts to Shafton in South Yorkshire for specialised repair and conservation. Surrounding the Kibble palace is the grounds of the Glasgow Botanical Gardens. This large public park was created in 1817 in conjunction with the nearby University of Glasgow.