This logo should become a familiar sight during the snowdrop season as VisitScotland promote the first ‘Scottish Snowdrop Festival’ bringing together over 60 snowdrop gardens and woodlands throughout Scotland. Cambo was honoured to be chosen as the venue for the launch of the Festival which took place on 31 January when Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, unveiled the ‘Live It.VisitScotland’ logo composed of snowdrops which you will see on the banking in front of the house.
Please wander freely in the gardens and woodland and enjoy the snowdrops. The woodland paths were originally planned as a series of walks and it is possible to follow the burn from the entrance to the estate to the sea following the Cambo burn on one side and returning on the other, all the while being able to savour the incredible displays of Cambo’s wonderful snowdrops.
Snowdrops, Snowflakes and Aconites
To see them at their best, follow the burn through the woodland down to the shore. Most of the snowdrops you will see are doubles (Galanthus nivalis flore-pleno), which are much showier than the singles (Galanthus nivalis), their layers of petals resembling a ballerina’s tutu. Gently turn their heads up to see the difference.
The best place to see snowflakes (Leucojum vernum) is beside the bridge at the top of the path to the burn (across from the children’s slide). Snowflakes are taller than snowdrops with larger bell-shaped creamy-white flowers tipped with either green or yellow and with broad, shiny green leaves.
You will already have passed a magnificent display of aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) on your way down the drive; there are more before the second bridge on the path to the sea as well as scattered elsewhere. Their delightful upturned golden yellow, cup-shaped flowers are surrounded by green rag-like ruffs and they are sold in clumps to minimise the disturbance of the corms, which can be difficult to establish.
Specialist Snowdrops
The garden is home to a collection of over 200 specialist snowdrops which was this year designated a National Collection. To the uninitiated the differences can be difficult to discern but have a closer look and compare the variations of shape, colour and leaf form – you may have to gently turn their heads up to see the differences. They are all labelled with the biggest, more established clumps in the woodland garden near the potting shed. Many more are in the border in front of the conservatory and Catherine’s most recent acquisitions are in the borders in front of and behind the house.
Many of the specialist snowdrops have unusual names/features and Catherine has put a few of these together to form a Childrens’s Corner. One of them is called Grumpy – he has a very grumpy face – and as can be seen from the notices around the estate we also have a white gnome called ‘Grumpy’ wandering around the house and gardens this year. If the children can find him and report his whereabouts to someone at the Plant Stall down at the house they will be given an ‘I’ve found Grumpy’ sticker.
The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden tends to take second place during the snowdrop season, but it does contain treasures even at this time of year. The burnished and russet tones of the grasses and seedheads in the herbaceous borders have a charm of their own and the garden is always a pleasant place for a stroll. Take the opportunity to examine Alan Biggs’ statues more closely too. Please feel free to explore the glasshouses and frames but please do not touch the plants or labels.
Throughout the gardens bulbs, plants and shrubs are coming into bloom in addition to Catherine’s ever-increasing collection of hellebores.
Pigs
Holly and Iv y, then Helen and Emma (named by request after two young guests staying in the house one summer), originally came to Cambo to root up the ivy which constantly threatens to engulf the snowdrops. They still do a very good job (read about them in The Cambo Courier) and are helped throughout the year by human volunteers, some coming on a daily basis, some coming on a working holiday, BUT they have also become an attraction in themselves and have even appeared on television!
Last year, as some of you may remember, Helen and Emma produced 11 piglets whose antics were much enjoyed by all our visitors before they went off to continue their mothers’ good works in other gardens and woodlands. Their friend Jasper came to visit again in the autumn – Emma had six piglets on 4 January and Helen had another six on 18 January so again we have piglets for you to enjoy. They all enjoy company and the mums and Holly and Ivy love the odd apple, titbit, or a bag of the potatoes available at the old Stables. Do pay them a visit!
Bulb and Plant Stall
In addition to snowdrops, aconites and snowflakes, we also have a wide range of other bulbs for sale in addition to some wonderful hellebores, shrubs and plants. These are all available in the garage area beside the Tea Room or by mail order. If you do purchase bulbs today, please ensure that they do not dry out before planting.
The Tea Room
The Tea Room, situated in the garage at the back of the house, is open from 10 am to 4 pm and offers soup and filled rolls, teas, coffees, scones and our famous ‘snowdrop’ biscuits. This year we also have ‘pig’ biscuits!
The Gift Shop
The Gift Shop, also open 10 am to 4 pm, is situated on the first floor of the main house and stocks a wide variety of merchandise and cards, many sourced locally. This year we are proud to launch our range of E A Bowles greeting cards which we are printing under licence to the Royal Horticultural Society. We are currently producing a tea towel and padblock based on his prints and these will be available later in the year. We are also pleased to have mounted prints of a limited edition of 100 by Anne Cotterill whose beautiful cards we stock. Unfortunately the shop is only accessible by a flight of stairs but we do have a display cabinet at the foot of the stairs with a good selection and a member of staff will always be happy to be of further assistance to anyone unable to access the shop itself. Merchandise and cards are available throughout the year and online.
Art Exhibition
Our Art Exhibition in 2006 was a great success and is now set to be an annual event. We’ve had a remarkable variety of work this year and are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to its continuing success. We have two particular items of note. Firstly the lovely artwork produced by the pupils of Kingsbarns Primary School following a ‘snowdrop talk’ by Head Gardener Elliott Forsyth. Peter’s mother, Lady Erskine, herself a talented amateur artist, found it very difficult to choose the winner. Secondly, our magnificent snowdrop quilt, designed and made by Stephanie Parker of Cornwall. This won her a third prize at the Birmingham Festival of Quilts in 2004 and also the Amateur Award. She very kindly sent it to us to display and we are very happy to say that it will not be leaving Cambo as Catherine has bought it. Where else could it live but Cambo?
Events at Cambo
Our noticeboard at the back of the house beside the plant stall, and notices throughout, give information of the various events taking place during snowdrop time and later in the year. Entry forms for various events and activities are also available in the garage or from the office. We already have entries for the Photographic competition and these are being displayed on the staircase leading up to the Gift Shop.
We were delighted when renowned garden and plant photographer Andrea Jones agreed to run a workshop at Cambo during the snowdrop season. Andrea first photographed the Cambo snowdrops several years ago and we are delighted to welcome her back.
Our ever popular Snowdrop Study Day takes place on Sunday 25 February and this year we have three speakers, including Andreas Jones, taking part.
The royal Horticultural Society has organised a Snowdrop Walk which will be led by Catherine on Saturday, 17 February at 10.30 am, and bookings can be made by ‘phoning 08456 121 253.
During the year Head Gardener, Elliott Forsyth, will be doing two more of his popular gardening talks through the Royal Horticultural Society and in July and August he will be taking conducted tours of the Walled Garden followed by dinner in Cambo House.
Throughout the season Griselda Hill Pottery and Wendy Sabine of the Courtyard Studio will be demonstrating how they produce some of the items they produce for the gift Shop, wood turner Colin McKenzie will be with us one weekend and Ardross Farmshop will be having a stall selling their produce. Details can be found on the noticeboard.
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