Gardens in the Highlands and Moray
Dunrobin garden and grounds may be visited for free in winter. A seaside walk (dogs welcome) features large areas of snowdrops. Open for the festival from 1 February - 19 March: daily 8am - sunset (free entry). Castle opens in April.
Address: Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6SF, tel. 077747 69787.
Explore half an acre of snowdrops in the woodland below the garden (and winter aconites for contrast). Always spectacular from late January to late February/early March. Visitors welcome. Monday to Saturday 1pm - 5pm (free entry).
Address: Black Isle, by Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, IV7 8LX, tel. 01381 610 352.
Rosehaugh Estate
Enjoy the snowdrops in the magnificent woodlands of Rosehaugh Estate overlooking the Moray Firth - park in the Walkers carpark at the estate entrance and proceed to visit the estate on foot. No facilities or guides provided. Open 4 February - 19 March (free entry).
Address: Avoch, IV9 8RF.
Find out about more things to see and do in the Highlands and Moray.
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Gardens in the highlands which are taking part in the Scottish Snowdrop Festival.
Gardens in the highlands which are taking part in the Scottish Snowdrop Festival.
See snowdrops in castle grounds, winter woodlands and even by starlight!
After the busy festive period, refresh your senses at a surprising variety of locations during the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, 4 February to 18 March 2012.
Taking place at over 50 gardens across Scotland’s mainland, the festival is a great chance to get out in the fresh air and explore your local area, visit gardens and parks - some of which are open especially for the festival - and enjoy around 300 types of this delicate white flower which appears to defeat the cold winter by bursting into life each year.
The versatility of the snowdrop means that they grow in a wide range of locations, so you can see a lot of what Scotland has to offer by visiting the Snowdrop Festival gardens. Everything from a footpath sprinkled with snowdrops by a waterfall which inspired Robert Burns in Perthshire, to carpets of snowdrops at Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire can be enjoyed. During a visit you can also tour castles and stately homes, visit deer parks and tea rooms or see specialist varieties of snowdrop like those at the Shepard House Snowdrop Theatre in East Lothian.
Up in Sutherland you can take in the natural beauty of a sea of snowdrops on a coastal walk at Dunrobin Castle, whilst those looking for a bit of drama should head to Snowdrops by Starlight at Cambo Woodland Gardens in Fife. On an illuminated evening walk, the snowdrops - including varieties such as the intriguingly named Grumpy, Heffalump, Comet, Robin Hood and Walrus - are lit up along with magnificent trees and woodland sculptures.
For your chance to win a break for two at 2 to Cambo House in Fife, make sure that you enter our competition!
Find participating snowdrop gardens by region:
*Please be aware that dates published for snowdrop openings are ‘general’ as unfortunately snowdrops do not flower to order and their flowering can be dependent on which part of the country they are growing in and indeed the variations in our climate. As a general rule, they are two weeks earlier in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway than in the east of Scotland and those growing further north and/or on higher ground can be later still. Bearing this in mind it may be advisable to telephone the gardens you are interested in visiting to check.
If you would like to visit one of the gardens listed but you are unable to visit during Snowdrop season, please contact the individual garden directly for details of opening times during the rest of the year.
Caprington Castle
Ayrshire & Arran
Ancient farmed landscape with mixed woodland policies, well carpeted with snowdrops; includes an early walled garden with fruit, vegetables and flowers. New stumped garden.
Read more 55.582808 -4.495811Culzean Castle and Country Park (NTS)
Ayrshire & Arran
Carpets of snowdrops border the drive and woodland walk between the castle and the swan pond. Other attractions include Deerpark Coastline gardens and a children’s playground.
Read more 55.345053 -4.780377
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