Floral festival brightens up a dark time of year
The gardens of three historic Ayrshire properties are taking part in one of Scotland’s most popular outdoor festivals.
Blossoming across the country until March 12, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival features more than 50 properties – including 13 newly added for 2017 – showing off spectacular swathes of snowdrops carpeting their grounds.
Venues taking part in the festival in Ayrshire are Culzean Castle Country Park ( from now till March 12) and Craufurdland Castle at Kilmarnock ( on Saturday, February 18).
Managed by The National Trust For Scotland, Culzean Castle Country Park covers nearly 600 acres of stunning countryside and visitors can enjoy miles of waymarked paths leading through majestic woodland, past secluded ponds and along a cliff top walk which affords spectacular views of Ailsa Craig. The park has a wealth of popular attractions including the Swan Pond, Deer Park and Adventure Playground, plus hidden treasures such as the ice houses, the Camellia House, the pagoda and the caves.
Craufurdland has been home to the Craufurd family since 1245 and today its owners Simon and Adity Houison Craufurd live in the Laird’s House part of the castle, in which visitors can stay. The estate comprises 600 acres of woodland, rivers, lochans and pastures and it plays host to a range of activities and events including the Muddy Trials. Snowdrops can be seen along the length of the drive from the fishery to the castle and the woods have wonderful examples of different types of snowdrops.
The annual Scottish Snowdrop Festival, now in its 11th year, aims to encourage locals and tourists alike to enjoy the wonders of Scotland’s gardens, estate grounds and parklands during the snowdrop flowering period, and to highlight the diversity of the country’s array of snowdrop collections. There are 300 varieties of Galanthus – to give the snowdrop its botanical name – and the versatility and hardiness of this classic winter flowering plant means it grows in a great range of locations.
For the first time this year, the festival is being organised by garden tourism group Discover Scottish Gardens, and supported by VisitScotland.
Research shows that one in three visitors to Scotland make a trip to a forest or woodland park during their stay, while 42 per cent visit a country park or garden.
Annique Armstrong, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “Over the past decade, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival has grown to become an annual calendar highlight, with the first snowdrops of the year providing a sign that spring is just around the corner. The festival also provides a welcome boost for attractions during a traditionally quieter period of the year as it encourages as many people as possible to get out and about to enjoy this great seasonal sight around Scotland’s most stunning gardens and estates.
“Many of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival locations are the grounds of some of Scotland’s most historic buildings, such as Craufurdland Castle which dates from 1245 and is one of the oldest in Ayrshire. Such buildings are a perfect fit for Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. From World Heritage sites to ancient monuments, cultural traditions to our myths, stories and legends, the year- long programme will shine the spotlight on our greatest assets and icons, as well as our hidden gems.”