During the visit, the First Minister met with Eden Project Scotland’s Programme Lead, Caishlan Sweeney, who shared the vision for the Dundee site and presented him with a copy of the Eden Project’s 25 year impact report, a landmark piece of research that demonstrates the impact and achievements of the educational charity over the past 25 years.
Celebrating 25 years on 17 March 2026, the Eden Project in Cornwall has delivered substantial economic and social value, contributing £6.8 billion to the Cornwall and South West economy. Regeneration and the inspiration demonstrated by the iconic global garden prove the value of investing in bold projects to deliver significant, long-term sustainable growth.
From the charity’s home in Cornwall, it has created and sustained an average of 700 jobs each year over 25 years, and through strong local procurement practices, £632 million of supply spend has remained within the region.
These outcomes align with the ambition for Eden Project Scotland and support the Scottish Government’s priorities for economic development and its focus on strengthening Scotland’s visitor economy.
John Swinney, First Minister, said: “It was a pleasure to visit the proposed Eden Project site here in Dundee and to see first-hand the vision behind this ambitious development.
“There is real potential to deliver real benefits for the local community, reinforcing Dundee’s growing reputation as a centre of innovation.
“It also offers an important opportunity to engage people in our transition to a net-zero future. This is a really exciting prospect for the city and for Scotland as a whole.”
Caishlan Sweeney, Programme Lead for Eden Project Scotland, said: “This visit by the First Minister is a powerful moment to share the ambition behind Eden Project Scotland and its potential to enrich lives across the whole of Scotland – starting in Dundee. We hope this visit marks the first of many and welcome all of Scotland’s party leaders to come along and see what we have planned for this space.
“The Project will transform a post-industrial site into a global garden destination, a place that draws on Dundee’s deep and rich heritage while connecting it to the wider natural world. It will attract visitors from across the UK and the globe, create and sustain jobs, and deliver long term economic impact for the region.
“Building on 25 years of experience at the Eden Project in Cornwall, we are creating something that celebrates the wonder of the natural world, diversity, and the interconnected stories between people, place and the planet.
“This is so much more than a visitor destination. It is an imaginative and ambitious project designed to be far greater than the sum of its parts, bringing together environment, education, culture and community to inspire action, support regeneration and create lasting benefit for everyone.”
Eden Project Scotland will combine immersive environments, horticulture, art, storytelling and learning experiences, supporting the city’s offering as a leading destination for nature based innovation, education and tourism.
For a quarter of a century, Eden has curated environments through storytelling and hands‑on experience to help people of all ages form meaningful connections with the natural world. Since 2001, more than 25 million visitors have passed through its iconic biomes in Cornwall, and more than one million children have taken part in nature‑based learning.
Expanding its impact, the Eden Project will soon begin construction of another new world-class destination in Morecambe in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University, with support from UK Government investment. The project has been designed to complement the heritage of the promenade, including the Midland Hotel and the Grade II*‑listed Winter Gardens and will open fully in 2028.
The First Minister’s visit reflects the role of partnership between government, communities and organisations in delivering projects that drive inclusive growth, celebrate local identity and strengthen Scotland’s global reputation.
To find out more about Eden Project Scotland, visit www.edenproject.com.
