Popular visitor attractions across the country, including gardens in three Aberdeenshire locations, are taking part in one of Scotland’s most spectacular garden festivals.
Blossoming across the country from January 28 to March 11 2018, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival comprises more than 50 events nationwide displaying carpets of snowdrops in their gardens and woodlands, signalling the end of winter and the promise of spring.
Aberdeenshire venues taking part in the festival include Bruckhills Croft at Rothienorman; Ecclesgreig Castle, St Cyrus and Fyvie Castle woods.
Organised by garden tourism organisation Discover Scottish Gardens and supported by VisitScotland and Scotland’s Garden Scheme, many gardens and woodlands are open especially for the festival and can be entered for a small ticket price, a donation or for free.
From February 11 to March 11, visitors can see the collection of 320+ named snowdrops at Bruckhills Croft*, featured on Beechgrove Garden in 2017, arranged in small groups throughout the garden.
Ecclesgreig Castle, Victorian Gothic on a 16th century core, is famous as an inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. On March 4, a snowdrop walk (150+ varieties of snowdrop in drifts) starts at the castle, meanders around the estate, along woodland paths and the pond, and ends at the garden.
The woods at Fyvie Castle are a carpet of white between mid-January and late February and visitors can enjoy a colourful walk round the stunning policies and loch. The majority of their snowdrops are the common Galanthus nivalis which have naturalised over the years, and there are a few hidden gems out there as well. The castle and tearoom will still be closed for the season, but the gardens and grounds are fully open.
Many Scots have fallen in love with the versatile herbaceous plant, scientifically known as Galanthus. There are now over 2,500 named varieties of the winter flower and its adaptability and hardiness means it grows in a great range of locations across the world.
Now in its 12th year, the Snowdrop Festival aims to encourage locals and tourists alike to enjoy the wonders of Scotland’s gardens during the snowdrop flowering period and to highlight the diversity of the country’s array of snowdrop collections.
Research shows that one in three visitors to Scotland make a trip to a forest or woodland park during their stay while 42% visit a country park or garden.
Catherine Erskine, chair of Discover Scottish Gardens and founder of the Snowdrop Festival in Scotland, said: “We are very lucky in Scotland to have a fantastic climate for snowdrops, with many species thriving here and creating stunning displays. Many of the festival venues are within the grounds of some of Aberdeenshire’s most historic buildings with beautiful surroundings. Adding snowdrops to these landscapes creates a spectacular sight for any visitor.”
Jo Robinson, VisitScotland regional director, said: “Over the past decade, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival has grown to become an annual highlight with the arrival of these dainty little flowers heralding that spring is just around the corner.
“It’s great to see these Aberdeenshire gardens included as part of this year’s line-up, as the festival provides a welcome boost for the local area during a traditionally quieter period of the year. I hope as many people as possible will get out and about to enjoy this great seasonal sight.”
To find a Snowdrop Festival garden near you, visit www.discoverscottishgardens.org or www.visitscotland.com/snowdrop.