Snowdrop Festival at Dunrobin Castle starts this weekend
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Winter will soon give way to spring and snowdrops will bloom across the Highlands carpeting the region with this popular flowering plant.
From this Saturday until March 11, 35 of Scotland’s finest gardens, woodlands, and estates will open their doors for the 14th year of this beloved festival.
Although some venues are only open for a day, Dunrobin will be running the festival from January 25 to March 11. The castle will not be open but visitors are welcome to the garden and policies. There are no facilities, but access is free.
Snowdrops first appeared in Scotland in the 18th century. The plant is not native to Britain, but its hardiness and adaptability allows it to thrive in the Scottish climate. Its botanical name is Galanthus, which means milk flower – an apt name for the dainty white flower whose buds look like drops of milk hanging from the stem.
Catherine Erskine, chair of Discover Scottish Gardens and founder of the Snowdrop Festival in Scotland, said: “Snowdrops foretell the changing of the seasons and, for many of us, they are a welcome indicator that spring is just around the corner. We are very lucky in Scotland to have such a fantastic climate for snowdrops, with many species flourishing here and creating magnificent displays across the Highlands.
“Many of the festival venues are in the grounds of some of Scotland’s most historic buildings and estates, creating a spectacular sight. We hope the festival will encourage people to go outdoors and discover this beautiful flower alongside the region’s stunning gardens.”
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland regional leadership director, said: “The Scottish Snowdrop Festival heralds the start of a new year, encouraging visitors to get out and about to enjoy Scotland’s gardens.
“I’m delighted to see venues across the Highlands taking part to showcase these beautiful flowers and their tourism offering during the traditionally quieter winter months. At VisitScotland our marketing is focused on sharing the tourism windfall in lesser known parts of Scotland and outwith peak times, so we are delighted to support this fantastic festival.”
The Scottish Snowdrop Festival is organised by Discover Scottish Gardens and supported by Visit Scotland. For details of all the gardens and grounds taking part in the event, visit www.visitscotland.com/snowdrop
