In aid of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, with gate receipts going to aid a range of charities, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival is now underway, running from the 25th of January until the 12th of March.

Established in 2007, the festival began has developed to include gardens of all kinds, from castles to crofts, some with acres of native snowdrops and others home to important collections of specialist bulbs. For 2025, some of the gardens will also be hosting special events, such as moonlight snowdrop walks, snowdrop-inspired crafting sessions and live music.

Amongst the gardens participating in the Festival is the 17th century Hopetoun House near South Queensferry offering visitors scenic snowdrop trails across the estate. Cambo House Gardens, at Kingsbarns, near St Andrews, is holding a Full Moon Snowdrop Walk – under the first full moon of February. The historic Ardkinglas Woodland Garden in Argyll will be offering snowdrop tours of the Sir Robert Lorimer-designed house and the Teasses Estate at Ceres in Fife will be hosting evening snowdrop walks in the ethereal glow of candlelight.

The founder of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, Catherine Erskine of Cambo Gardens, says: “Everyone loves a snowdrop. They bring us hope at the darkest time of the year.”