Enjoy a taste of Scottish snowdrops in 2015

The much-loved Scottish Snowdrop festival returns to gardens throughout the country between 31 January and 15 March 2015, with hundreds of varieties of rare and beautiful snowdrops popping up to create stunning displays that celebrate the approach of spring.

Visitors to the festival will be able to enjoy lots of brilliant moments in the new bloom with events including woodland walks throughout Scotland, a Snowdrops by Starlight illuminated event at Cambo Estate and the more unusual opportunity to taste specially created Snowdrop Scones with afternoon tea at Cringletie House.

A diverse range of over 60 gardens, some of which open exclusively for the festival, will showcase their snowdrops in walled gardens, urban retreats, historic castles and churchyards. Many of the venues offer high quality local food in their restaurants and cafés, which visitors can enjoy after wandering through the idyllic displays.

New gardens taking part this year include:

The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded in the 17th century as a physic garden. Now it extends over four Gardens boasting a rich living collection of plants, and is a world-renowned centre for plant science and education. During the Scottish Snowdrop Festival guided tours will showcase the Royal Botanic Garden’s collection of specialist snowdrops.

Open: 10:00 – 18:00

Cost: Free

Tours: 11:00 – 12:30 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 13 February and 8 March. Tours are for those aged 14 and over and tickets cast £5.

10 Pilmuir Road West, Forres

Plantsman's small town garden is managed entirely without the use of artificial fertilizers or chemicals, the owner encourages hedgehogs, toads and wild birds to control slugs. In early spring there are approximately 150 named snowdrops, some of which are very rare, to be seen.

Open: By appointment only, please call 01309 674634 to arrange a viewing

Cost: Adult £3

Further highlights:

Cringletie House, Peebles, Scottish Borders

Cringletie has been blessed with millions of the Genus Galanthus Snowdrops, believed to have been planted and grown wildly since the days of the Crimean War. The snowdrops continue to create a blanket of beauty throughout the woods and valley beside its waterfall. New for 2015, beautiful lighting in the grounds will showcase a magical glittering of flowers. Visitors will also enjoy specially created Snowdrop Scones which will be served with afternoon tea throughout the festival.

Open: Daily from dawn to dusk

Cost: Free

Cambo Estate, St Andrews, Fife

Cambo Estate holds the national collection of snowdrops, with 70 acres of woodland walks to the sea. A full family day out can be enjoyed with daily gardener led walks, piglets to feed and drop- in workshops within this snowdrop woodland. The annual Snowdrops by Starlight event will see the snowdrop woodland transformed into an illuminated enchanted wonderland by night.

Open: 10:00 – 17:00

Cost: Adults £5.50, children free

Snowdrops by Starlight: 11- 15 February, 5.30pm- 9.15pm. Tickets are in advance only.

Adults £10.50, concession £8.50, children £5.50, under 4s free

Castle Kennedy and Gardens, Stranraer

Castle Kennedy Gardens in South West Scotland is a beautiful garden surrounded by two large natural lochs. The garden includes sculpted landforms, stunning fauna, magnificent snowdrop walks, popular bird hides and a fun, inventive programme of events for all the family.

Open: 10:00 – 17:00

Cost: Adult £5.50, concession £4.50, children £2

Finlaystone Country Estate, Renfrewshire

Snowdrifts of snowdrops with flowing burns and cascading waterfalls. Visitors can follow the self-led snowdrop stroll, discover formal gardens, woodland trails and imaginative children’s play areas.

Open: 10.00 – 17:00

Cost: Adults £4, children £3

Dunninald Gardens, Aberdeenshire

Historically, families living at Dunninald have always planted snowdrops resulting in a rich carpet through the woods and wild garden that visitors can enjoy today.

Open: 28 February and 1, 7 and 8 March, 12.00 - 17.00

Cost: Adults £4, children fre

Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Stobo

Dawyck is truly one of the world’s finest arboreta. Seasonal displays of abundant exotic and native plants provide a breathtaking backdrop of colour throughout the year. The Garden also offers an award-winning visitor centre. During the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, visitors can enjoy the new bloom with a range of trails and walks.

Open: February 10:00 – 16:00 and March 10:00 – 17:00

Cost: Adult £6, under 16 free

Islay Estate, Islay

The Bridgend Woodlands are famous for their beautiful displays of wildflowers, with thousands of snowdrops in the winter, then daffodils and finally bluebells into the spring. The area is also abundant with walking trails. West coast Islay snowdrops are best to enjoy early in the season (late January/ early February).

Open: Daily from dawn to dusk

Cost: Free

West Plean House, near Stirling

Visitors can stroll into the Walled Garden and take a walk through the newly developed Azalea and Rhododendron plantings. There are also woodland walks with snowdrops and a panoramic view over seven counties. West Plean House also offers accommodation, and an excellent home produced and locally sourced breakfast, for those wishing to stay longer.

Open: 13:00 – 16:00

Cost: Adults £4, children free

Full details of the participating gardens can be found on www.visitscotland.com/snowdrop

ENDS