Delicate Dome

This is a shot of the domed roof at the centre of the Kibble Palace in Glasgow Botanic Gardens, a 19th-century wrought iron framed glasshouse designed by John Kibble in the 1860s, the components were cast by Walter Macfarlane at his Saracen Foundry in Possilpark. Eventually brought up the River Clyde by barge to the Botanic Gardens, it was fully erected at its current location in 1873 by Boyd of Paisley.

The building structure is of curved wrought iron and glass supported by cast iron beams resting on ornate columns, surmounted on masonry foundations. It was initially used as an exhibition and concert venue, before being used for growing plants from the 1880s. The main plant group is the collection of New Zealand and Australian tree ferns, some of which have lived here for 120 years and which now form the national tree fern collection.

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, South Yorkshire for specialised repair and conservation. The plant collection was removed completely for the first time ever and the ironwork was rebuilt over a rearranged floor plan.

I have always loved this place the architecture, the shapes and textures just appeal to me, I liked how this shot of the dome was softened by the intrusion of the tips of some of the fern fronds the building is famous for. I hope you enjoy the shot and apologies for the very late Blip, the events of the week have left me very tired that I fell asleep and have only just woken again!!!