Each year the Snowdrop Festival gathers together some of the best gardens and woodlands in Scotland where you can see swathes of snowdrops. There are 300 varieties of Galanthus – to give the snowdrop its botanical name – and the versatility and hardiness of the classic winter flowering plant means it grows in a great range of locations. They’re one of the first signals that spring is on its way.

Some of the more than 50 venues this year include Castle Kennedy Gardens (open every weekend throughout February and March), Cringletie House (where there are fairies hiding amongst the snowdrops), Dawyck Botanic Garden (which offers guided tours every Sunday in February and March), Cambo Estate (which has a snowdrop-themed tea house), and Abriachan Garden Nursery (with views over Loch Ness).

Discover Scottish Gardens says many of the gardens are open just for the festival, which runs from January 29 through March 11, 2018. Because some venues are private and others open just for the snowdrops, do check directly before aiming your car down the road.

(Photo courtesy of Scottish Snowdrop Festival)