Snowdrop fest is on the way
Gardens open to the public
Local gardens will be taking part in the Scotland’s Gardens scheme Snowdrop Festival in the coming weeks.
The festival aims to gather together some of the best gardens and woodlands where visitors can see swathes of snowdrops - one of the surest signs that spring is on its way.
Duntreath Castle in Blanefield will be open by arrangement from February 1. Admission is £4, children free and all proceeds will go to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiaries.
The garden, postcode G63 9AJ, is off the A81 north of Glasgow between Blanefield and Killearn.
Gargunnock House Garden (FK8 3AZ) will be open every day from 11am-3.30pm between February 5 and March 12 for the festival.
Admission is £4, children free and the charities benefitting will be the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (20 per cent) and Gargunnock Community Trust (20 per cent) with the remainder to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiaries.
The garden is five miles west of Stirling on the A811 - follow the Scotland’s Gardens signs.
Kilbryde Castle in Dunblane will be open on Sunday, February 26 from 1.30-4.30pm for the Snowdrop Festival. Admission is £4 with the Leighton Library receiving 40 per cent and the remainder to SG Beneficiaries. There will be cream teas available and a plant stall. Dogs are welcome on leads.
The castle is three miles from Dunblane and Doune off the A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On Scotland’s Gardens open days the garden is signposted from the road.
The Snowdrop Festival, however, is just the beginning of a busy year for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, the registered charity created in 1931 which raises funds for other deserving charities by facilitating the opening of gardens of horticultural interest of all sizes throughout Scotland to the public.
Around 40 per cent of the funds raised at each garden opening is given to a registered charity chosen by the garden owner, with more than 200 large and small charities benefiting each year in this way. The remaining funds raised go to SGS chosen charities.
For more information on the Snowdrop Festival and other gardens opening for the SG programme in 2017 see www.scotlandsgardens. org or follow Scotland’s Gardens on facebook.
Anyone interested in opening their garden next year or becoming a member of the Stirlingshire branch of Scotland’s Gardens can email: drapper@kilewnan.org.uk.