The Scottish Snowdrop Festival

We hadn't heard of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival until we happened to be walking past a side gate into Dunrobin Castle this morning and saw a notice inviting us in to view the snowdrops. 

A festival to celebrate these pretty flowers, that are such a welcome signpost out of winter into summer, is a super idea, even though it may not be quite comparable to other spring festivals like the Japanese cherry blossom viewing.

It's organised by Discover Scottish Gardens - link here - and runs from 25th January to 11th March with events at gardens and houses throughout Scotland. Dunrobin Castle doesn't seem to take it too seriously, doing no more than leaving their gate open.

The snowdrops took up a small proportion of the gardens, which we haven't visited before. It isn't an ideal time for them as everything is very neatly organised for winter, with only a few bulbs beginning to show any sign of renewed life. Nor are the snowdrops in the garden itself that spectacular, there being....

....rather more impressive displays in the adjacent woodland, in amongst which we found what must be a contender for....

....Scotland's largest snowdrop.