Snowdrop Spotting in the South of Scotland

Did you know there is a special word just for snowdrop enthusiasts? If you go snowdrop spotting each year as winter turns to spring, you can consider yourself a Galanthophile. And the South of Scotland is the perfect place to be, with an abundance of these gorgeous little white flowers. Many of our gorgeous gardens across the region host special snowdrop events for you to enjoy. But no need to wait – here’s our guide on where to see these darling flowers bobbing their heads in the winter sunshine.

Kailzie Estate

January signals the start of one of Kailzie Estate’s most celebrated displays. Carpets of snowdrops take over the designed woodlands, which were first laid out over 300 years ago. Kailzie is perfectly situated to support the growth of these delicate blooms. The gardens lie at a height of 700 feet, generating the deep frost and cold needed for the snowdrops’ growth and flowering cycle.

Each year there is a special garden opening to mark snowdrop season. Head along, take a leisurely walk through the woods and listen to the peaceful babble of the nearby burn as you admire the scene.

Logan Botanic Garden

Visit Scotland’s most exotic (and southwesterly) garden and see the delicate swathes of snowdrops popping their heads up as spring starts to appear. Logan Botanic Garden will be opening for the weekends in February from 10am-4pm and then from 1 March for the season. Snowdrops are not the only flowers to pop out early and in the Walled Garden there are already some colourful blooms from early rhododendrons. You can warm and fortify yourself afterwards in the Potting Shed Bistro.

Dryburgh Abbey

The Rangers from Historic Environment Scotland are offering a day of family friendly activities at Dryburgh Abbey including a guided tour exploring the beautiful snowdrops, heritage trees and wildlife of this special site. Known as one of the four great abbeys of the Borders, it is also the burial place of Sir Walter Scott. The abbey and grounds are open daily from 10am – 4pm.

Glenwhan Gardens

As one would expect from this excellent garden, there is a fabulous display of snowdrops at Glenwhan Gardens in Dunragit near Stranraer. This 12-acre garden hewn out of bracken, gorse and willow over 30 years is a gem of a garden and a pleasure to visit anytime of year. Enjoy the winding paths, seats and sculptures as you take in the tranquillity of the garden and the gently bobbing heads of the humble snowdrops.

Cringletie

From early February through March you can feast your eyes on millions of the Genus Galanthus, or Snowdrops, which are thought to have been brought back to Cringletie by soldiers from the Crimean War. The descendants of those snowdrops now create a stunning blanket of white throughout the woods and valley in the grounds of this 28-acre estate. Once you’ve had your fill of the delicate blooms, give way to your grumbling tummies and enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea. Of course the option of staying for a weekend winter break may be too hard to resist for some.

Dawyck Botanic Garden

In the Scottish Borders, Logan’s sister garden, Dawyck Botanic Garden opens daily from the 1st February and invites visitors to learn about the garden’s magnificent plant collection. Visitors exploring early in the year will be able to take in the magical snowdrops carpeting the banks of Scrape Burn.

Drumlanrig Castle

As winter turns to spring there are sure signs of snowdrops along the walks and trails at Drumlanrig Castle. The grounds will open specially for these gorgeous bobbing heads for a weekend in February when you can visit the magnificent castle gardens and explore the way-marked route to enjoy the dazzling display of snowdrops. Guests can discover the variety of blooms on display before heading to the Larchwood Cabin for delicious take-away coffees, cakes and traybakes. And you can bring your four-legged friends along too.

Abbotsford

There are plenty of snowdrops to spot in the woodland around the estate at Sir Walter Scott’s home, Abbotsford. It is free to access and Abbotsford’s visitor centre, café, shop and free Sir Walter Scott exhibition are also open Wednesday – Sunday. The house and gardens reopen from early March. Sir Walter Scott was a firm believer in the mental health benefits of a good walk outdoors. “Fighting with this fiend is not always the best way to conquer him. I have always found exercise and the open air better than reasoning.” – Sir Walter Scott on the fiend of depression.

Threave Gardens

Threave Gardens opens daily in early January and it certainly does have an excellent display of snowdrops. Did you know that unlike many other spring bulbs, snowdrops need to be planted ‘in the green’, that is to say once the flowering has finished but while there are still green stems? If you’re in need of sustenance, never fear there is a café and visitor centre to warm up and relax after you’ve made your way around the estate gardens.

Mellerstain House

Mellerstain House’s gardens and grounds are open year-round and it takes part in an open day in February as part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme to showcase its snowdrops. Sitting in 100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks, Mellerstain House is a Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. The terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake.  Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks and in February there will be light refreshments available.

Castle Kennedy

On the estate of the Earl and Countess of Stair, you will find a special three-mile route of snowdrops in pure abundance in February and March. The 10^th Earl of Stair was a particular enthusiast and responsible for planting more than 10 varieties of snowdrops in the Walled Gardens. In fact the gardens even has its own unique specimen, Galanthus nivalis ‘Lochinch’ , named after the Earl’s castle.

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