SPRING IS NEAR!
Snowdrop Festival heralds an end to the worst of winter
AFTER a long and frozen winter, the first signs of spring will be welcome. And you can start enjoying them from tomorrow, with the arrival of the annual Scottish Snowdrop Festival.
Returning for its twelfth year and running until March 11, the event is a wonderful way to wave goodbye to Jack Frost and watch as these bonny blossoms flourish.
The festival is organised by Discover Scottish Gardens and hundreds of castles, estates and gardens will open to the public, with special displays and celebrations of plant life.
There are more than 300 varieties of snowdrop – also known as Galanthus to botanists.
This hardy little plant survives winter in a range of locations across Scotland – from the warmer climates of the south to northern nooks and crannies.
Enjoy crisp winter walks at Castle Kennedy Gardens, Wigtownshire, where you can see beautiful white snowdrops in full bloom as well as enjoy the gorgeous walled garden and round pond. Across to the east in the Borders, little ones will love Cringletie House, Peebles, where the snowdrops in the enchanting grounds are said to be home to fairies – keep your eyes peeled!
If you spot all the fairies in the garden you’ll win a free lunch or tea at the restaurant, which also offers mouth-watering snowdrop scones.
Wonderful collections of specialist snowdrops can be found at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Dawyck Botanic Garden, Peebles, and Logan Botanic Garden, in Wigtownshire.
In Edinburgh the gardens boast plenty of pretty, delicate snowdrops. Join the guided tours over the weekends to discover hidden treasures and hear tales about the vibrant flowers on display.
Dawyck boasts the shimmering Scrape Burn along with gleaming snowdrops covering the grounds.
There will also be guided tours from experts every Sunday during the festival.
Logan, located in the Rhins of Galloway, which has a milder climate, is known as Scotland’s most exotic garden. There is blossoming rhododendrons and camellias to enjoy along with the snowdrops.
Up in Fife, the popular Cambo Estate is a snowdrop wonderland at this time of year, with carpets of the little flowers covering large areas.
Stroll through the sea of snowdrops, take a guided tour of the estate, get involved in events, and head to the snowdropthemed tearoom and plant shop, where you can buy a snowdrop plant to take home.
Further north, wind your way through woodlands dotted with snowdrops at Abriachan Garden Nursery at Loch Ness, Inverness-shire.
Don’t forget to take in the stunning views across the loch while you’re here!
There are a number of events to enjoy across the country.
So get out your walking boots and find your nearest snowdrop spectacular by logging on to