Snowdrop spotting with the Trust

Now that the deep snow is melting, it is the perfect time to search for signs that winter is ending - snowdrops – at one of the National Trust for Scotland’s stunning properties next month.

The small white blooms are amongst the first flowers to force their way through the frosty or even snow-covered ground to bring hope of the springtime sunshine yet to come.

Some of the charities best snowdrop sites are taking part in this year’s Snowdrop Festival, which runs from 1 February until 15 March:

Arduaine Garden, near Oban, Argyll – the garden’s location on the West Coast means it benefits from a warmer climate that could lead to some early snowdrop sightings. It also boasts some fine views too. The garden is open all year round.

Broughton House, Dumfries and Galloway – this beautiful and picturesque garden was influenced greatly by the artist EA Hornel who lived there until 1930. It is a hidden gem and snowdrops flourish here. The garden reopens to the public from 1 February 2009. It will be open Monday until Friday, from 11am until 4pm.

Crathes Castle, Banchory, Aberdeenshire – at Crathes, it truly is a garden for all seasons. There is always something green and beautiful to see, whenever you visit. Snowdrops thrive in the extensive grounds, making it one of Aberdeenshire’s best spots to see the plant. The grounds are open all year round.

Culzean Castle and Country Park, Ayrshire – Culzean’s fantastic gardens and grounds are the perfect place to go seeking snowdrops. The country park boasts miles of walkways. The park is open all year round.

Greenbank Garden, Clarkston in Glasgow – a peaceful place to enjoy snowdrops, within easy reach of the city, Greenbank Garden boasts more than 3,700 different plant forms on the stock record. Snowdrops are one of those. The garden is open all year round, every day from 9.30am until sunset.

House of Dun, Montrose in Angus – This handsome Georgian house and its fine gardens provide the perfect backdrop for blooms of any colour. The garden and grounds are open all year round.

And some other sites that are still worth stopping in at:

House of the Binns, West Lothian – The designed landscape at this 17th Century house is stunning, and planted to perfection with snowdrops. Later in the season, daffodils and bluebells add a carpet of colour. The grounds are open all year round.

The Hermitage, near Dunkeld, Perthshire – The woodlands at the Hermitage are rich with plant and wildlife at any time of year. In the late winter, carpets of white spring up around the woodland walks. The site is open all year round.

Newhailes, Musselburgh in East Lothian – Snowdrops can be found throughout the woodland walks at this beautiful East Lothian estate. The estate is open daily.