Nowhere in Scotland does snowdrops quite like the Cambo estate and their showcase event, "Snowdrops by Starlight" (5-9.15pm, Wednesday 13- Sunday 17 February 2013) is a stunner.
You'll have seen from my Cambo Magic blog post that I have a big soft spot for the Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns in the East Neuk of Fife. So an event which takes Cambo, the beautiful swathes of white snowdrops they so carefully cultivate each year then adds state-of-the-art lighting effects, plus music, arts and crafts was pretty much guaranteed to float my boat. Something about arriving in the darkness and walking through woods lit up pink, blue, green, red and white, wearing glow bands is unique, magical and slightly surreal; like walking through some sort of enchanted forest. I think you'd like it too.
You'll have seen from my Cambo Magic blog post that I have a big soft spot for the Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns in the East Neuk of Fife. So an event which takes Cambo, the beautiful swathes of white snowdrops they so carefully cultivate each year then adds state-of-the-art lighting effects, plus music, arts and crafts was pretty much guaranteed to float my boat. Something about arriving in the darkness and walking through woods lit up pink, blue, green, red and white, wearing glow bands is unique, magical and slightly surreal; like walking through some sort of enchanted forest. I think you'd like it too.
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| Enchanted forest, including Cambo Burn |
Last year when we arrived (which was normally by shuttle bus, though in our case we just walked there) we were given a glow band in exchange for your tickets and simply make your own way round the route. This started in the stables where there was an art exhibition. The stables themselves are a lovely old building, still in their original stable form. They are going to be redeveloped as part of the Cambo Institute Restoration project. This is great for the community and area but I can't help thinking it's a bit of a shame that the building will be changed. The last room in the stables, which has a striking mural of horses on the wall, was a workshop for making snowdrop lanterns.
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| Snowdrop lantern, workshop at the Stables |
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| Mural, workshop at the Stables |
From the stables we then joined the path which takes you to the woods, down to the Cambo burn and then back round to the house itself. On the way were literally thousands of snowdrops of many varieties, lit by thousands of fairy lights. This display on the ground was skilfully complemented by beautiful colour effects in the trees and various environmental scultures, including living willow sculptures by Jon Warnes and some interactive installations which were very popular with kids.
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| Living sculptures |
Some of the lights changed colour, making for a wonderful effect (if a few photography challenges). Even the Cambo burn was lit up. Music added to the atmosphere.
The house itself was strikingly illuminated with a giant snowdrop pattern and in the flower beds just beside the house were some of the more rare (and expensive) snowdrop varieties, lit by dramatic spotlights.
At the end of the trail there was a chance to buy some snowdrops to take home at the plant shop in the courtyard, a gift shop and cafe for winter warmer refreshments. We took some home and then planted them in the garden so they will grow again in future years (fingers crossed anyway!).
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| Snowdrops lit by spotlight, outside Cambo House |
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| Cambo House |
2013 is the event's fourth year. This year there will be a new interactive trail. Transport will also be easier as you can park at the Estate itself (which avoids the need to do a shuttle by bus from Kingsbarns Golf Club). Our advice is quite simple: make sure you don't miss it!
A nice way to continue the evening and warm the cockles is to book a table for dinner in the nearby pub The Barns at Kingsbarns. They have a lovely crackling fire, comfy chairs and decent pub food such as macaroni cheese, steak, fish 'n' chips etc.
Essentials: Tickets for Snowdrops by Starlight cost £10 plus booking fee for adults, £8 concessions, £5 for children (under 16s) - under 5s go free. They must be bought in advance from The Cambo Estate - Tel 01333 459313 or 01333 450054 or email cambo@camboestate.com. For more details see the Snowdrops by Starlight website. (Tickets already purchased from The Byre are still valid). Make sure you wrap up warm. If you plan to take photos a tripod and patient companions are essential!
Can't make the Starlight event? Cambo is also open during the day for "Snowdrop by Daylight" viewing (10am-4.30pm, 2 February to 17 March, £5 adults, children free), buying snowdrops and meeting the pigs and piglets (who are an essential part of the workforce at Cambo: they eat the moss which would otherwise smother the snowdrops).
Can't make the Starlight event? Cambo is also open during the day for "Snowdrop by Daylight" viewing (10am-4.30pm, 2 February to 17 March, £5 adults, children free), buying snowdrops and meeting the pigs and piglets (who are an essential part of the workforce at Cambo: they eat the moss which would otherwise smother the snowdrops).
Text and photos copyright Sara Scott 2012-2013.
Hello @RoseCottage it is good to see you here on blogger. I stayed in the East Neuk area last year with my mum, we visited Cambo while we were there, my daughter was working for a few days at Anstruther fishing museum. Lovely gardens this snowdrops by starlight looks and sounds spectacular.
ReplyDeleteHello Fiona
DeleteGood to see you on blogger too! Glad you like the East Neuk and Cambo - it's fab isn't it! I'm hoping to go to Cambo this weekend and see their roses, as they've been having a Rose Festival.