Snowdrop Spotting in the South

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. There is even an annual Scottish Snowdrop Festival which offers glimpses into otherwise unseen gardens as well as some we have listed below. But no need to wait – here’s our guide on where to see these darling flowers bobbing their heads in the winter sunshine.

Drumlanrig Castle

Where: Thornhill

The first weekend in March is the ideal time to see the first signs of spring at Drumlanrig Castle. Drumlanrig Castle Gardens is showcasing its snowdrops with a specially designed way-marked route around the Gardens. Guests can discover the variety of snowdrops on display before heading to the Larchwood Cabin for delicious take-away coffees, cakes and traybakes. Green-fingered guests can also stock up on plants. And you can bring your four-legged friends along too.

Floors Castle

Where: Kelso

The Grounds at Floors Castle are open daily in the winter (but the site is only accessible via the Terrace Café and Gardens entrance on the B6397). Take a stroll through the trees and along the woodland footpaths to see a carpet of snowdrop splendour. Enjoy the Walled Garden and Children’s Play Park – the perfect way to spend quality time with friends and family. Both the Woodland and Riverside Walks are a great spot for an adventure for your four-legged friends whilst you enjoy unique views and beautifully kept grounds.

All that exercise is bound to make you hungry so be sure to drop into the Terrace Café, or perhaps the Apple Shed Gift Shop & Deli.

Royal Botanic Garden Logan

Where: Port Logan

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 throughout February from 10am-4pm for visitors. 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.

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Where: Stobo

Over in the Borders, Logan’s sister garden, Dawyck Botanic Garden opens from the 1st February and invites visitors to learn about the garden’s magnificient plant collection and take in the magical snowdrops carpetting the banks of Scrape Burn.

Cringletie

Where: Peebles

Feast your eyes on millions of the Genus Galanthus, or Snowdrops, which are throught to have been brought back to Cringletie by soliders from the Crimean War. The descendents 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 bracing fresh air and 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.

Threave Gardens

Where: Castle Douglas

Threave Gardens is reopening daily from 9th 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 as you make your way around the estate gardens, the Stables Cafe in the gardens will be open while the Terrace cafe is refurbished throughout January and February.

Abbotsford

Where: Melrose

There are plenty of snowdrops to spot in the woodland around the estate at Sir Walter Scott’s home, Abbotsford. Whilst Abbotsford’s house and gardens are closed until March 1st, the estate is open and free to explore. In addition the café, shop and free Sir Walter Scott exhibition are open every day 10am- 4pm. The great man 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.

Glenwhan Gardens

Where: Dunragit

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.

Dryburgh Abbey

Where: St Boswells

Swathes of white carpet the woodland around Dryburgh Abbey, a remarkably complete medieval ruin by the River Tweed. Known as one of the four great abbeys of the Borders, it is also the burial place of Sir Walter Scott. Its grounds are now open although the abbey itself remains closed. Check Historic Scotland for updates on openings.