Surprise Yourself - Lanarkshire is blooming
As Scotland enjoys its popular Scottish Snowdrop Festival from 4 February to 18 March 2012, these lovely flowers are also bursting into bloom all over Lanarkshire.
Here are the parks and estates of Lanarkshire where the scenery will be snowdrop-sprinkled for the next six weeks:
Colzium Estate
*** DON'T MISS: Kilsyth’s Annual Snowdrop Festival will take place Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February in the Walled Garden at Colzium House.
Entry to the two-day event is free. Just come along between 12 noon and 4pm and enjoy a walk around the walled garden, accompanied by one of the council’s experienced gardeners, who will show you the various species on display and answer any questions you might have.
It’s a great day out for gardeners and galanthophiles alike, so whether you’re a snowdrop specialist or just an enthusiastic amateur, come down to Colzium and make this a white weekend! ***
From the 12th Century, when the Earl of Lennox first erected a Motte and Bailey castle on Castle Hill, this Kilsyth treasure has seen a varied and colourful history.
Features of the estate include the excavated remains of a 15th Century L-plan tower house, once the seat of the Livingstons of Linlithgow, and the restored Scottish ice-house dating from 1680.
Snowdrops can be seen throughout the estate’s beautiful gardens, known for containing many rare and beautiful plant and tree species at various times of the year. Visitors can explore the many trails around the estate and the castle ruins.
Colzium Estate is centrally located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, perfect for exploring the surrounding Kelvin Valley. From rambling countryside walks and peaceful cruises along the nearby Forth and Clyde Canal to white knuckle mountain bike trails in the neighbouring Carron Valley, there’s guaranteed to be something nearby to suit everyone who loves the great outdoors.
Colzium Lennox Estate, Stirling Road, Kilsyth G65 0PT
Cleghorn Farm
Open Sunday 4 March 2pm - 4pm, entry by donation.
There are masses of snowdrops spread around the 18th century garden which is currently being renovated with mature trees and shrubs. With beautiful views to the south of Tinto Hill and the Cleghorn Glen, this stable house in Lanark is the perfect location to see some winter blooms.
Cleghorn Stable House, Cleghorn Farm, Lanark, ML11 7RN
Tel: 01555 663792
Greenbank Garden
Open daily 9.30am - dusk (adults £6, concessions £5, child £4.50)
This National Trust for Scotland estate has a carpet of snowdrops in its dell, surrounded by two and a half acres of an inspiringly beautiful walled garden. With a gift shop and tearoom open on the weekends from 2pm to 4pm, Greenback Garden makes a lovely day out for all the family.
A guided Snowdrop Walk is available on 12 February at 2.30pm. National Trust for Scotland members free, others normal charges apply Flenders Road, Glasgow, Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley, G76 8RB
Tel: 0844 493 2201
Calderglen Country Park
Entrance to the park is free.
Calderglen Country Park is located on the boundary of the new town of East Kilbride and was officially designated and opened to the public in 1982.
Formerly part of the Calderglen and Torrance Country Estates, the park extends along a scenic wooded glen carpeted in snowdrops. Snowdrops are also along a range of lovely trails, over the country park and on the riverbanks.
With a choice of trails to follow, the landscape at Calderglen offers scenic waterfalls, open meadows and woodland walks. The nearby Langlands Moss Local Nature Reserve is a great example of the increasingly rare lowland raised bogs. A raised wooden platform walk allows visitors to see the bog up close.
Leaflets on walks and trails are available from the visitor centre.
Visitor Centre, Strathaven Road, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ
Tel: 01355 236644