(Image: Chris James/Royal Botanic Garden/PA Wire/PA Images)
Tributes have been paid to the man who died after being hit by a falling tree which came down due to high winds driven by Storm Boelo.
The 60-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene at Mid Kelton near Castle Douglas around 10.30am on Sunday morning.
He has now been named as Richard Baines, curator of Logan Botanic Garden.
Colleagues have paid tribute to him, saying he will be remembered for his "passion and enthusiasm for plants".
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David Knott, Director of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said Mr Baines will be “deeply” missed.
He said: “Richard Baines, the Curator of Logan Botanic Garden sadly passed away on Sunday, October 25, during Storm Boelo, after a tragic accident while walking near his home.
“He was primarily responsible for a number of significant developments and initiatives at Logan including the first ‘all green’ public conservatory powered by green energy in the U.K.
“During his tenure, Logan also successfully gained a number of accolades including being voted the ‘Best Garden in the U.K.’ by Which in 2021.
“Logan was also the first garden in Scotland to gain gold for Green Business Tourism award and install vehicle electric charging points, culminating in Logan being awarded 5 Star status as a Visitor Attraction by VisitScotland.
“It will, however, be for his passion and enthusiasm for plants that he will be remembered through significantly increasing and expanding the plant collection at Logan, participating and leading fieldwork in China, Canary Islands and Vietnam from which seven plant species are currently being published that are new to science.
“Richard’s contribution as an enthusiastic plantsman and Curator at Logan and to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider work and culture, has been immeasurable, and he will be deeply missed by many.”
A man in his 20s was also pronounced dead after a tree fell onto a moving car in north London, according to the BBC.
First MinisterJohn Swinney expressed his condolences for the two people who died as a result of the weekend storm.
In a post on X, the First Minister said: “My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the two people who have tragically lost their lives as a result of Storm Boelo.
“My thoughts are with all those affected by the damage and I thank the emergency services working through the night to keep people safe.”
Two women were also taken to hospital after they were struck by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.
Power cuts hit 838,700 properties during Boelo and its predecessor by hours, Storm Austen.
At 8am on Monday, 39,000 customers were still without power, the Energy Networks Association, which represents operators in the UK and Ireland, said.
In Aberdeenshire, 13 primary schools were without power on Monday, and Ellon Academy was closed because of storm damage. Ten primary schools in the Highlands were shut.
The cleanup comes as the Met Office issued a fresh yellow warning for wind from 6pm on Monday until 3am on Tuesday.
Fresh weather warnings have been issued as strong winds and heavy rain are on the way after two storms battered Britain.
Yellow wind warnings will be in place for western areas of the UK on Monday and Tuesday as gales and spells of rain bring the potential for ongoing disruption, particularly around exposed coasts and higher ground, the Met Office said.
The continued winds could hamper recovery efforts in some places after Storm Boelo pummelled the north of the UK, bringing 84mph gusts and a third of a month’s rain to pockets of Scotland.